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Lady Nezhka Orshinaia

Deputy Herald

Deputy MoAS

Social Media Officer

Barony of Raven's Cove

Kingdom of Atlantia

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This is my entry for the Non-Traditional Scroll competition. It is a scroll with my Apprentice Oath on it for my Peer. I haven’t been able to give it to him yet, but wanted to enter it in the competition.  The text is below and there are pictures attached of the various parts. 

 

It is made of veg tanned goatskin leather and the design is burned into it with a leather burner. The colors are done with a mix of leather dye and translucent wax - the darker colors have been left on for a longer period of time before the excess is wiped off. There are 3 pieces, the main body with the shield, head, tail and three legs (it is assumed that the fourth leg is behind the shield). And then each wing is a separate piece. Slits were cut into the leather so that the wings would appear to be coming from behind the forelegs and are stitched on.  The introduction is written on the shield and the actual oath is written on the wings. All details are either made with a leather burner or a dye/wax mix. The word at the bottom “Ferus Draco” is part of my motto “Fierce as a Dragon.”

 

Main body text:

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“Master Johann,

   You were the first bardic laurel I met over a year and a half ago at War of the Wings. You encouraged me to participate in this amazing art that has fast become my passion: bardic. 

   You have introduced me to wonderful people and songs, helped me with song-writing and performances, and encouraged shenanigans.

   You spoke to me when we started this conversation of the importance of fun in this art – the joy of bardic, and that it is important above awards and should not lose its value.

   You spoke to me of the importance of family that I am now being adopted into yours to learn an art in the age old practice of handing down skills from master to apprentice.

   I have seen the way you conduct yourself as a Laurel: welcoming to all, encouraging and assisting others and finding their way in the arts, and contributing positively to the community, both bardic and the society at large. All of these values are the way in which I wish to pursue this art.

   I come to this apprenticeship from Raven’s Cove, my Barony and family. I come with theirs  blessings and excitement and with the understanding that I retain my membership there, with its rights and privileges and responsibilities of the offices I hold or may hold in the future while apprenticed to you.

 

Left wing:

 

I come to this apprenticeship bearing the motto Ferus Draco: Fierce as a Dragon.  In the spirit of this motto I promise to be a dragon apprentice. I will do my best to claw forward in progress, I will do my best to soar to new heights, I will do my best to breathe fire into my studies and performances, I will do my best to protect the treasure that is my apprenticeship to you and being a part of your family, bringing honor and respect.

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Right wing:

 

I will be fierce and following your lead in this art. And while I cannot promise not to roast anyone, I promise to follow your lead in doing so. Keeping in mind the first major lesson that I learned from you: “Be careful what you say in front of a bard.” There may be times of grumbling are growling but I will do my best to fight through those and to be a good and challenging student. These things I will do until such time as you deem my contract fulfilled.

 

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