Kingdom of Praelia
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[edit] The Kingdom of Praelia
The Kingdom of Praelia is a diverse group of Living History enthusiasts and Sport athletes. Its home county and the offices of its not for profit parent company, Fury Concepts Inc. are based in Tulsa, OK. Using the rules and guidelines from the Melee: Culture, Crafts, and Combat set of books, the Kingdom caters to people of all backgrounds. As an Educational Non-Profit Corporation, the Kingdom of Praelia also has goals of helping educate people about the lives and history of past cultures from the time periods between 3000 BC and 1650 AD.
[edit] History
The Kingdom of Praelia is the result of the combination of Living History and Combative Sport, which the group has dubbed Sports Reenactment. Although similar in concept to most Living History or LARP groups, the Kingdom of Praelia is somewhat unique in its outlook and goals. In 1983, a group of friends, inspired by Roleplaying games and other living history groups, gathered together to form a club that would re-create the combative arts of the past. Calling themselves Melee, this group grew and adapted to new leaders, new ideas, and new goals. Since that time the group has undergone many transformations and changes, not only in style but also in organization. The term Melee eventually became a generic and fractious term, due to its use by multiple groups both regionally and nationally. Some groups were fantasy based, some strictly realistic; some groups focused on roleplaying while others became more of a sport. In an effort to distinguish themselves from the other groups the Kingdom of Praelia was established along with the rules system 'Melee: Culture, Crafts, and Combat' in 2003. In late 2005 the group established itself as a non-profit corporation and began efforts to expand to other areas.
[edit] Cultural Expression
Culture is expressed in the exploration of the arts and humanities of the world between the Ancient through Renaissance eras. From 3000 BC to 1650 AD, a worldwide culture is available for discovery through Kingdom Sanctioned events. Participants actively research historical personas which they adopt at events and endeavor to learn and teach about the cultural history by living the role of this persona.
Nobility and Privelages
The Kingdom rewards those who participate in outstanding capacity in many ways, including the acquisition of Noble titles. Members can attain nobility through Combative Prowess, The Arts and Sciences, or Service. Other Privelages are governed by the Tenants in Chief, which are more often granted as a job than an achievement.
Noble Titles
- King: One who rules a kingdom with five or more Princes (Six tracts of Land)
- Prince: One who rules over five or more Counties. (Five tracts of Land)
- Duke: One who rules over a County (Four tracts of Land)
- Count: One who rules over a County in absence of a Duke (Three tracts of Land)
- Viscount: Vice Count- One who handles the affairs of lower Nobility (Two tracts of Land)
- Baron: One who handles a large region of a County (Two tracts of Land)
- Lord: One who rules over a moderate region of County (One tract of Land)
- Vassal: One who handles a tract of land. (One Tract of Land)
Tenants in Chief
- Castellans: (Count): Those who organize all affairs in a county
- Chancellors: (Viscount): Those who work directly in service to a Castellan
- Knights: (Count): Those of an order who have proven outstanding valor, prowess, and learning
- Guild masters:(Vassal) those who run a Guild within a County
- Master Craftsmen: (Vassal) those who are masters of the art
- Arbitrators: (Vassal) those who act as guard and law enforcement within a county
- Faction Captain: (Vassal) those who command many men
- Champion: (Vassal) one who holds a Championship in one of the championship tourneys
[edit] Arts and Sciences
Crafts are also very important to the members of the Kingdom. Artisans re-create the methods of the armourers, leather crafters, culinary masters, musicians, poets, and more crafts through the Guilds of the Kingdom. Through the application of their research, members are able to learn hands-on about crafting the arts and the sciences known by these cultures from history. Aside from the arts, Craftsmen also make many faux replicas of items, including realistic mock weaponry used in combat.
Guilds
The Guilds that are sponsored by the Kingdom of Praelia include:
- The Merchants Guild- Merchants who sell a variety of goods at events.
- The Culinary Arts Guild- Those who learn about cultural foods and feasting.
- The Brewing Guild- A part of the Culinary Arts Guild whose focus is on brewing of Beers, Meade and Wine
- The College of Arms- This guild studies the heraldic arts as well as registers and protects the coats of arms, and badges of the Kingdom's members.
- The Armoring Forge- Armoring and the study of all forms of Armor is this Guild's specialty.
- The Leathercraft Guild- Members learn the art of Leatherworking.
- The Sporting Guild- Members focus on historical Sports, including Danish Skull Kicking, and the Olympic Games.
- The Danish Skull League is a sub-group whose members compete in a variation of the forefather of football and soccer.
[edit] Combative Arts
Combat is one of the most serious aspects of the organization to many. By utilizing safety crafted replica weapons, fighters can easily re-create the battles of the past. All weapons craftsmen must undergo a training period wherein they learn the proper safety proven methods of creating the equipment used in the full speed mock battles. Safety is the prime concern, as all equipment, be it armor, shields or weapons, must be inspected prior to every event. Combat is regulated by a series of printed rulebooks that cover both the actual combat, and the crafting of all equipment used in combat.
Factions and Mercenaries
Members of the Kingdom often join Factions to build friendships and gain allies. Factions are households, tribes, armies and so forth that fight as one in Faction Battles and Faction Events. A Faction may in time earn the position of Barony, which holds higher prestige and rank for the Faction
Members of the Kingdom who do not wish to be tied to any specific Faction, can be either freelance or contracted Mercenaries. Mercenaries are auctioned or contracted by Factions to bolster their forces. Some Mercenaries form Bands, and sell as a lot.
[edit] Scenarios
Scenarios are the Fantasy events in which the combatants face off against creatures of myth and legend, as well as exploring a world of Fantasy Melee. Players in Scenarios are able to use rules not available in everyday Melee Proper, and enjoy a Fantasy live action role playing (LARP) Melee. Scenarios are stories, told by the players who act out the parts. Like Melee Proper, the players role play and combat each other, however more emphasis is placed on social interaction and role-playing rather than simply constant combat. Players may find themselves in a long debate with the Nobles of a town while on trial with the locals over a stolen cow, or proving their skills in a contest of the arts before a strange traveler. Still combat is very much a part of the Scenario, and oftentimes a battle is called for, as the local burgomaster summons all adventurers to save his daughter from the rampaging hoards of Goblins. In more exotic Scenarios, two opposing Wizard Orders may ask for help in defeating their rival.
[edit] References
Melee: Culture, Crafts and Combat- Primary Rulebook (5th ed). Tulsa, OK. Fury Concepts INC
Melee: Culture, Crafts and Combat- Book of Scenarios. Tulsa, OK. Fury Concepts INC
