The League of Bards & Skalds
Hear the voice of the bard,
Who present, past, and future sees;
Whose ears have heard
The Holy Word,
That walked among the ancient trees
What does it mean to know everything? Who can quantify the burden we bear? To have generations of knowledge literally at your fingertips – from the secret treasure troves of legendary kings and dragons to the peach pie recipe that Grandma Bellowsmender thought she had hidden away safely in her skirt.
Hear the voice of the bard,
Who present, past, and future sees;
Whose ears have heard
The Holy Word,
That walked among the ancient trees
What does it mean to know everything? Who can quantify the burden we bear? To have generations of knowledge literally at your fingertips – from the secret treasure troves of legendary kings and dragons to the peach pie recipe that Grandma Bellowsmender thought she had hidden away safely in her skirt.
Imagine you have the power to use that knowledge to influence the fabric of reality itself. By weaving stories and songs, you can bring confidence to a small group of comrades or even an entire army at your command, or convince the maiden fair to help you with your flossing.
You are a seducer of emotion, and the caretaker of whimsy. You create chaos in Hell and bring order to the Abyss. Your are capable of finding audience with the noblest of nobles, but you are most comfortable with the everyday laborer.
You are called minstrel, storyteller, poet, or songsmith, but what you are is the bard.
Article 1: Name
The name of this organization shall henceforth be the League of Bards and Skalds.
The name of this organization shall henceforth be the League of Bards and Skalds.
Article 2: Allegiances
The League of Bards and Skalds is a subset of The Adventurer’s Guild.
The League of Bards and Skalds is a subset of The Adventurer’s Guild.
Article 3: Membership
Membership in the League of Bards and Skalds is open only to members of the Adventurer’s Guild who meet the following criteria:
a. Annual submission of a written work is required, whether it be a song, story, poem, or paper of historical research. This written work need not be commissioned specifically for the League, but the member must be able to claim sole or primary authorship.
b. Members must agree to present two annual performances or educational lectures for Adventurer’s Guild members in an approved Guild Hall.
c. Members agree to utilize their talents for members of the Adventurer’s Guild freely, and without expectation of monetary gain.
d. A total of eighty (non-performance) volunteer service hours towards the Adventurer’s Guild shall be required annually.
e. Above volunteer service hours may be waived in exchange for a $100 gp yearly membership dues payment.
f. Candidates for membership must be at least Apprentice Adventurer level members of the Adventurer’s Guild.
Membership in the League of Bards and Skalds is open only to members of the Adventurer’s Guild who meet the following criteria:
a. Annual submission of a written work is required, whether it be a song, story, poem, or paper of historical research. This written work need not be commissioned specifically for the League, but the member must be able to claim sole or primary authorship.
b. Members must agree to present two annual performances or educational lectures for Adventurer’s Guild members in an approved Guild Hall.
c. Members agree to utilize their talents for members of the Adventurer’s Guild freely, and without expectation of monetary gain.
d. A total of eighty (non-performance) volunteer service hours towards the Adventurer’s Guild shall be required annually.
e. Above volunteer service hours may be waived in exchange for a $100 gp yearly membership dues payment.
f. Candidates for membership must be at least Apprentice Adventurer level members of the Adventurer’s Guild.
Article 4: Government
The League of Bards and Skalds is a non-governing, non-evolving body. Amendments to the bylaws may be made by a quorum of two-thirds of members meeting. There shall only be three officers in the league:
The League of Bards and Skalds is a non-governing, non-evolving body. Amendments to the bylaws may be made by a quorum of two-thirds of members meeting. There shall only be three officers in the league:
Dean – the Dean of the League of Bards and Skalds serves as the de-facto executor of the organization. He calls and officiates meetings, keeps treasury records, and allocates League funds for projects. In addition, the Dean determines disciplinary action, when appropriate, towards wayward members.
Historian – the Historian of the League of Bards and Skalds is charged with keeping historical records of the group’s activities, collecting items for the League’s office, collecting required documents and funds as a condition of membership, and safeguarding and interpreting the League’s policies as outlined in these bylaws.
Librarian – the Librarian of the League of Bards and Skalds is the keeper of the League library, where submitted member works are kept and checked out. In addition, this office is charged with drafting written correspondence from the League to its members, as well as consulting with the Dean and Historian in creating new policies and procedures for the League. Finally, the Librarian is in charge of recommending Bards and Skalds for official licensing (see Article 9).
Article 5: Election of Officers
Election of officers shall be conducted on a bi-annual basis. Unexpected vacancies shall be filled by appointment; the Dean shall appoint the Historian and Librarian, and the Historian and Librarian shall appoint a Dean in conjunction with the first three general members they find at the Guild Hall at which they are currently stationed.
Article 6: Sharing of Work
Members of the League of Bards and Skalds shall be permitted to perform each other’s work without royalty or compensation so long as appropriate credit is given to the author of the work prior to its performance.
Election of officers shall be conducted on a bi-annual basis. Unexpected vacancies shall be filled by appointment; the Dean shall appoint the Historian and Librarian, and the Historian and Librarian shall appoint a Dean in conjunction with the first three general members they find at the Guild Hall at which they are currently stationed.
Article 6: Sharing of Work
Members of the League of Bards and Skalds shall be permitted to perform each other’s work without royalty or compensation so long as appropriate credit is given to the author of the work prior to its performance.
Article 7: Dissolution
A quorum vote of two-thirds is required to dissolve the League of Bards and Skalds. At such time, all group assets will be liquidated, with the exception of original works of living authors or deceased authors with surviving heirs, which are turned over to their original author or selected heir. Once assets are liquid, the funds will be split equally among active members, regardless of whether or not they voted for or against dissolution.
A quorum vote of two-thirds is required to dissolve the League of Bards and Skalds. At such time, all group assets will be liquidated, with the exception of original works of living authors or deceased authors with surviving heirs, which are turned over to their original author or selected heir. Once assets are liquid, the funds will be split equally among active members, regardless of whether or not they voted for or against dissolution.
Article 8: Dissolution of Adventurer’s Guild
In the event of a dissolution of the Adventurer’s Guild, the League of Bards and Skalds shall meet to determine whether to dissolve the League or branch out independently. At this point it is agreed that a full-fledged governing body must be established.
In the event of a dissolution of the Adventurer’s Guild, the League of Bards and Skalds shall meet to determine whether to dissolve the League or branch out independently. At this point it is agreed that a full-fledged governing body must be established.
Article 9: Licensing
With the dissolution of the Bardic College, The League of Bards and Skalds sees fit to become the official licensing organization for the continent. The titles, Licensed Bard or Licensed Skald may only be used if one is licensed by the League of Bards and Skalds. Licensing shall be granted by the officers of the League. Until such time, the appropriate designation shall be “minstrel” (no governance shall oversee the status of wandering or rooted territorials).
With the dissolution of the Bardic College, The League of Bards and Skalds sees fit to become the official licensing organization for the continent. The titles, Licensed Bard or Licensed Skald may only be used if one is licensed by the League of Bards and Skalds. Licensing shall be granted by the officers of the League. Until such time, the appropriate designation shall be “minstrel” (no governance shall oversee the status of wandering or rooted territorials).
Article 10: Location & Identification
The official office of the League of Bards and Skalds shall be established in the Guild Library of the first Guild Hall built. This office will be the only official physical location of the League. Large meetings shall be conducted in the Common Room of the Guild Hall.
The official office of the League of Bards and Skalds shall be established in the Guild Library of the first Guild Hall built. This office will be the only official physical location of the League. Large meetings shall be conducted in the Common Room of the Guild Hall.
Members of the League of Bards and Skalds shall be identified by the logo, designed by Floyd Fiftynames. This logo will be painted on the wall of the Guild Library, and patches shall be made for all League members, to be sewn to the clothing. It is not necessary to display the patch publicly; the patch is for members to identify each other when appropriate. The patch may be sewn to the inside of an article of clothing (boot, cloak, etc.), but it must be sewn in to be recognized as official. Displaying a patch that is not sewn in as proof of membership shall be considered an indication that said individual is an imposter.
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