Editor’s Note: This document is a direct copy of a Google Doc titled How to Start a Branch. You can also find these resources on this website over on the Branch Lord Resources page.
So, you’re interested in forming your own branch in the EMP? That’s fantastic! Here are the steps to get started. Please read through this document and if you have any questions join the College of Ardesca Discord server to ask questions.
Step 1
Think about what kind of branch you want to form. This means time period, customs, fighting styles (or not, you don’t have to be a fighting branch at all), etc.
Step 2
Each branch must have a charter. This is a way of setting up the rules for your branch that conform to the rules of the empire, as well as a way of forming your own culture.
Review charters from other branches as a starting point for drafting your own. You can find examples by using the Fiefdoms link to visit the Kingdom of Ardesca website.
Step 3
Start writing your charter. Below you’ll find a list of everything that will need to be contained in it.
❖ Name of branch
❖ Heraldry
➢ Create heraldry for the branch which includes a description as well as a drawing of the heraldry.
➢ A vector drawing of your heraldry is preferable in order to easily add it to various websites.
❖ Location of the branch
➢ This is both in history and in the present day.
■ The historical location is Northern England near York.
■ The modern location is south Seattle.
● Each level 1 branch has a 50 mile radius around it that are its ‘lands’. Level 1 branches can overlap lands, so don’t worry if there is another branch nearby. The location can be a person’s house, a major landmark, etc, just make it something that actually exists and can be found on a map.
❖ Purpose of the branch
➢ Why are you forming this branch?
❖ Customs of the branch
➢ What will you be doing that sets you apart? Are you fighters, artists, brewers, cooks, a mix?
❖ Description of leadership of the branch
➢ How is the leader picked? Trial by combat, voting, some other way?
■ Will there be more than one?
➢ What will the leader be called? It doesn’t have to be lord/lady, but it does have to be appropriate to the level of branch you are forming.
➢ What are the responsibilities of the leader?
➢ Is there a time limit for leadership?
■ Does it change yearly, every two years?
➢ What happens if leadership is challenged?
■ The default way of handling challenges in the EMP is by rattan combat, but you can set it up another way as well. It could be a pun off, a chess match, whatever you’d like as long as it follows the rules.
❖ Other branch positions
➢ Is there a council of advisors?
➢ Is there a treasurer?
■ How are funds within the branch tracked?
➢ You can set up any positions you want, but you have to also state how those positions are filled, and if there is a time limit on them.
❖ Each branch must have a yearly event.
➢ This event does not have to be the same event held each year, but it can be. You can use this event as a way of changing leadership, having a moot, etc.
■ The event must be submitted to the Kingdom Calendar in order for it to be protected by EMP insurance and count towards your yearly event.
Step 4
Gather your members. Each branch must have a minimum of 5 members to form and to maintain level one branch status.
Step 5
Create your website. This can be as simple as a Facebook page, or as elaborate as you’d like. Use this page to describe who you are, where you are, what you do, etc. It must be public, and have your charter somewhere on it. You may also have a private page that is just for your members, but you must have a publicly accessible one as well.
Step 6
Write a three sentence or so blurb describing your branch to be put on the Ardesca website for all to know your glory.
Step 7
Ready to submit your charter! Submit your charter through the College of Ardesca on Discord server in the “prospective charters” channel. The Kingdom Steward will review the charter to make sure all of the required elements are in the charter. If they have any questions they will post them in the “prospective charters” channel. Once the Kingdom Steward is done reviewing the charter it will be sent to the Crown for final approval.
Step 8
If you are currently a member of another branch and want to establish a new one before Doomsday (April 16th, when memberships must be renewed), be sure to discuss your plans with your current lord. Your lord will need to formally release you, as well as any other members who wish to transfer to the new branch.
If you have any questions on the charter process, post them in the College of Ardesca Discord server. The channel “starting a fief” is dedicated to answering questions.