Outlands Scribes Handbook

From the Outlands Kingdom Scribe

Greetings unto the Scribes and Illuminators of the Outlands from Mistress Bennet Murray, Outlands Kingdom Scribe.

Good scribes, you hold in your hands the newest edition of the Outlands Scribe's Handbook. This work is the result of the contributions, made over many years of dedicated service, of the talented and generous scribes of the Kingdom of the Outlands. Herein you will find not only revised texts for previously chartered awards, but texts for new awards. These new award texts, both Kingdom and Baronial, reflect the growth of our Mighty Kingdom. I welcome all comments and suggestions that they may be used in future revisions.

The Scribes and Illuminators of the Outlands serve by creating award scrolls to memorialize the achievements and honors of the populace. These scrolls are gifts of the artist's time, material and talent; we owe to them, the scribes, much respect and gratitude. I entrust to you this book. May you use it to continue the Outlands tradition of beautiful scrolls.

I remain yours in Service to the Outlands and Her Crown,

Bennet

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From the Editor

This work before you constitutes the Outlands Scribe's Handbook, March 2004 edition.

This Handbook will be ever-evolving. Changes can occur as frequently as new Crowns grace the Outlands Thrones, or Coronets are inspired to create a new Baronial award. The guidelines and scroll texts provided herein will change accordingly. If you have suggestions for improvements, please forward them to the Kingdom Scribe.

Much of this version is based on the previous editions produced by Mistress Tatiana Pavlovna Sokolova, Master Demetrios ho Bibliophilos, and Mistress Gwyneth Maeve of Falconguard, along with ideas and phrases borrowed from other kingdoms and the Outlands Principality Handbook created by Mistress Elinor Aurora of Rosewood. The achievements of arms for the various awards were all drawn by either Mistress Eirene Tzimiskina Kontostephanina or Mistress Tatiana Pavlovna Sokolova.

Several new kingdom and baronial awards have been created since the last edition of the Handbook was published. The section on achievements of arms has been changed, and hopefully clarified. A number of new questions have come up, and have been addressed in the Frequently Asked Questions section. Some suggested texts for other "unofficial" scrolls have been added.

My gratitude to all those who contributed to this handbook, and to those who helped with commenting, proof-reading and editing.

Maria Sol de Leon

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Foreword

We've all marveled over scrolls that someone has labored for forty or fifty hours to produce. Those of us who are scribes have stayed up all night before an event finishing a scroll or spent time at an event working on it, and yet we are happy to give away our the fruits of our labor. Why do we do this? There are, of course, different reasons for every scribe. We love to do it, we are honored by making something that the King and Queen will be proud to give out, and perhaps we're just a little bit crazy. The best reason of all is that we love to see the look of amazement and gratitude on the face of someone who is presented with a scroll we have done.

The Outlands is a bit unusual in being a kingdom where nearly every award given is accompanied by a hand made scroll. In order to keep it this way, we need to maintain a large group of enthusiastic scribes. This cannot just be a few dedicated individuals, and cannot be a static, unchanging group. New scribes are constantly learning, and taking the place of those whose interests have turned to some other endeavor. It is wonderful that we have so many people interested in learning these arts, and eager to provide scrolls for the benefit of the kingdom.

For those just starting out, remember that none of us started life as wonderful calligraphers and illuminators. It takes many years of practice to reach the skill level required for most peerage scrolls. Some scribes never aspire to that level, and are content to do only an occasional scroll. Either way, the kingdom benefits. Don't be discouraged, and keep in mind that people are always thrilled to receive a scroll, particularly if it is their first. For those who have been scribes in the SCA for some time, please don't forget to teach new scribes what you know, so that the knowledge you worked so hard to acquire can be passed on to the next generation of scribes. Above all, remember why you started doing scrolls in the first place, and keep in mind the recipients, and how proud they will be to own a piece that you have created.

Don't ever be afraid to say "no" to an assignment. There are many reasons for being unable to do a scroll, including simply needing a bit of a break. You should not feel guilty in turning down a scroll assignment for any reason, because you won't enjoy doing the scroll, and it will probably not be your best work. Making scrolls can be a lot of work, but it should be something that you enjoy doing, and take pride in. If having a deadline is a problem, perhaps you might want to take on a back scroll assignment. Contact the kingdom scribe to find out if any are available. Back scrolls are a great way to contribute to the kingdom by making a scroll that you can do at your own pace, without having to rush in order to get it done by a particular event.

One of the most important pieces of advice to scribes is to make color copies of all your work, so that years later, you can look back and see how very far you have come. While it may not always feel like you are making progress from one scroll to the next, you will be surprised by how much your skills have grown when looking at a piece you did months or years earlier. This also will provide you with a portfolio of your work, in case you would like to do a commissioned piece sometime down the road.

Modesty notwithstanding, please don't forget to sign your work on the back; write it legibly so that the herald can proclaim your name to everyone in court, and the recipient will know who to thank.

Be proud of your work as a scribe in the Outlands, whether it is your first promissory Award of Arms scroll, or your tenth peerage scroll. By offering up the fruits of our labors, we are helping to make the Outlands a more wonderful place to live.

Tatiana Pavlovna Sokolova

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