A Letter from His Imperial Majesty Nikolai

Good Populace,

TRIAL OF THE DEFENDANTS, CHIENNE, PHILLIPE, AND TERRANCE

This is the final address of Emperor Nikolai II (written a little over a week after stepping down off the Throne). As many of you have heard, I am really trying to make the most of my retirement; however, there are still some leftover chores from my reign-- some things which must be penned in my erstwhile guise of Emperor of Adria. Here goes.

Nearly eighteen months after the original charges of treason were filed against Chienne and Phillipe, a trial was finally had on November 23, 1996.

Terrance had already been charged for crimes up to March 2, 1996, tried on April 6, 1996, and sentenced by Sir Mathghamhain as Lord Protector on April 18, 1996. Said sentence included banishment for three years and a day; stripping of all ranks, titles, awards, and honors; permanent judicial ban; and striking of arms. For Terrance, the trial of November 23, 1996 was for allegations of crimes committed after March 2, 1996.

Chienne and Phillipe had been charged with treason against the Empire for their attempt at causing the secession of Snowden, Slivowitz, and York in July of last year. Furthermore, Chienne and Phillipe were charged along with KnightHawk, Thingold, and Terrance for the crimes outlined in the charges set forth in January of this year, as detailed in prior newsletters.

All defendants received renewed notice of the charges soon after the Imperial Estates Meeting of July (wherein it was determined that the prosecution of the defendants would be pursued, and that Sir Stefan Belski would be named Special Prosecutor). Trial was set for November 23, 1996.

On that day, the defendants submitted to the protection of Captain Squire Johann Warhammer, where they were kept safe from harm from hostile onlookers. The defendants opted not to speak on their own behalf and to refrain from offering evidence in their defense. Nevertheless, pursuant to Adrian Law, Her Imperial Highness, Dame Isabeau de Ravenne stepped forward to speak on their behalf and demand a Court of Chivalry. King Sir William Ce'Wolf acted as Magistrate. Sir Stefan, the Prosecutor, chose Sir Gareth Vassale as Judge. Dame Isabeau chose Queen Dame Aleta O'Barry. The two appointed Judges appointed Sir Eric the Awful as Third Judge.

Much testimony and documentary evidence was submitted. The trial took about four hours. The advocates for the Prosecution and the Defense made their closing arguments. Then, as Grandmaster of the Dream, Sir Francois de Coucy had the last word, and spoke on behalf of the defendants. The Judges then adjourned and deliberated.

As this was a Court of Chivalry and not a Court of Law, the rulings made herein may guide future courts, but are not binding. The recommendations of the court were as follows:

TERRANCE (a.k.a William Terry Newman in all his personas played in the Adrian Empire): That he be found guilty of multiple counts of treason. The court determined that there were so many individual treasonous acts that it was difficult to determine where one act of treason began and another ended. hus the court recommended that maximum sentences be imposed. The court found lesser included multiple offenses of sedition, disruption of the harmony of the Empire, and conduct unbecoming a knight. The court found points in aggravation including fraud, impersonating an officer of the Empire, attempting the dissolution of the Empire and the theft of its assets, and conspiracy with others toward those ends. No favorable points (points in mitigation) were found.

PHILLIPE (a.k.a Mark A.W. Smith in all his personas played in the Adrian Empire): The same recommendation was made as to Phillipe. A further point in aggravation found against Phillipe was that he was feudal overlord of the other two defendants (as Thane of CoirNoir) from September 1995 to November 3, 1996 (when CoirNoir ceased to be recognized by the Empire as a Domain), and was therefore responsible for their actions as well.

CHIENNE (a.k.a. Karen Smith in all her personas played in the Adrian Empire): The same recommendation was made as to Chienne. A further point in aggravation against Chienne was that she was feudal overlord of the other two defendants (as Thane of CoirNoir) from July 1995 (when the original charges were filed against her and Phillipe) to September of 1995. The court found Chienne to be the prime mover with regards to the charges, and to be ultimately responsible.

With regards to sentences, the following was recommended:

1) Stripped of all ranks, titles, awards, and honors; striking of arms: ALL DEFENDANTS

2) Permanent Judicial Ban: ALL DEFENDANTS

3) Revocation of membership, with a recommendation that said revocation be made Law by the Imperial Estates at the next Imperial Estates Meeting: ALL DEFENDANTS (Terrance expired as of November 30, 1996 in any event-- with regard to Chienne, the unused portion of her $250 membership would be refunded to her [$250 - $25/year]. As she had been in the game for seven years, her refund would be $75. Membership, once revoked, may only be reinstated by the Imperial Throne. If revocation has been ratified by a majority of the Imperial Estates, only a majority of said Estates may undo the revocation. If the revocation is made Law by two thirds of the Senate, and not vetoed by the Grand Assembly, it shall be written into our Bylaws.)

4) Banishment: Three years and one day, with a recommendation that the Imperial Estates make the banishment permanent: ALL DEFENDANTS (With regard to Terrance, this sentence would run consecutively with his prior sentence, thus making his banishment for six years and two days. The period of banishment would be counted from the date of reinstatement of membership [if ever]. Yes, this means that the defendants would likely have to pay dues for the period of their banishment before being allowed to play again, assuming their dues would even be accepted. The Imperial Estates may make a banishment permanent by unanimous vote.)

5) Death: CHIENNE AND TERRANCE ONLY (Based on Prince Sir Francois' pleas, which may not be denied, Phillipe was allowed to live. The effect of this is that if Phillipe ever successfully petitioned to be allowed to play again, he would be able to play under the name, Phillipe le CoirNoir.)

At the Hall of Our final Court, We, Nikolai II, Emperor of Adria, did declare that We accepted the recommendation of the Court in whole. We did charge Captain Squire Johann Warhammer to keep Chienne and Terrance in his custody pending appeal to the Grand Assembly, review by the Senate, and review by the Imperial Estates General. We charged the good Captain to let Phillipe go free, away from the Adrian Empire, to live out his honorless existence out of Our sight. We did charge that all sentences take place immediately except the executions of Chienne and Terrance which would be stayed pending a decision of the Grand Assembly, Senate, and Imperial Estates General.

Immediately thereafter, We called upon the Table Round to meet regarding the membership of the Defendants. All active members were present. They met, conferred, and unanimously proclaimed that the Defendants would no longer be members of the Table Round.

We called upon the Imperial Order of Saint Joan to meed regarding the membership of Chienne. All active members were present except Dame Lyonene la Rose Noir (who might be vouched for by Dame Dorothea). They met, conferred, and those present unanimously proclaimed that Chienne would no longer be a member of that Order.

We conferred with Her Imperial Majesty, Dame Dorothea II, and we agreed that Chienne and Phillipe would no longer be considered Our Crown Companions.

Her Imperial Majesty declared Terrance not fit to be a member of the Queen's Guard, and discharged him. As there were no active members of the Queen's Guard left in Adria, Sir Francois, who was already a Crown Companion, requested to be recognized as the Premier Knight of that Order. Her Imperial Majesty found him acceptable, and he was so recognized.

In consultation with Her Imperial Majesty, the award of the Imperial Nebula (made in 1993) was withdrawn from Phillipe.

The above proclamations having been made, the Defendants were left without honors, awards, or titles from any source within the Empire. They are no longer knights of any rank.

We then asked the new Patriarch of the Church of Adria, His Holiness, Sir Jehan, what the Church's disposition would be regarding the Defendants. He proclaimed as follows: The Defendants would be given thirty days after receiving notice of the proceedings herein during which time they would be allowed to recant their sins. Failure to do so would result in a recommendation for excommunication, decanonization (Chienne and Phillipe), and deveneration (Terrance). May the Dream have mercy on their souls.

WRITS AND POLICIES

We did step down on November 23, 1996, Empress Dorothea and Emperor Nikolai. In Our stead were crowned Our Heirs Apparent, and now High King and Queen: Mathghamhain II and Isabeau II! They did graciously continue all Writs and Policies of the reign of Dorothea and Nikolai, subject to further modification as Their Imperial Majesties will see fit to publish.

LORDSHIP

Pursuant to Our Law, His Imperial Highness, the Grandmaster of the Dream, Sir Francois de Coucy did nominate Sir Ian Eric Dunn McDuncan to be made a Lord of the Empire. This was done at the Imperial War, and We agreed. But we placed upon Sir Ian a quest pending his elevation. Said quest was to be dictated by His Highness Franz Josef Hapsburg I, Prince of Lorraine. This quest was made to teach the good knight humility as Sir Ian had had his misgivings regarding the young foreign Prince.

His Highness of Lorraine did not issue the quest immediately, but rather, gave it some thought. Days later, he told me his idea. He was never able to announce it to Sir Ian himself as His Highness was lost to us very soon thereafter. Thus, it fell upon us to tell Sir Ian what quest he would perform for his Lordship. He would take the Crown Jewels of Lorraine and arrange to have them set into two royal crowns (at the expense of Lorraine-- only the work would be Sir Ian's). Sir Ian accepted, and even indicated that he would fashion the crowns himself as much as he could-- two royal crowns for the bereaved Princess Elizebeta of Lorraine, and whoever would succeed Prince Franz Josef. The jewels were delivered unto Sir Ian at the Esperance Crown war on November 9, 1996. On November 23, 1996, Sir Ian contacted Us and conveyed his regrets that he would miss the event. He was still working on the crowns, and had not yet finished them. He was unwilling to take his Lordship until they were completed to his satisfaction. What honor!

Our reign ended that night, and We had not been able to fulfill Sir Francois' request on behalf of Sir Ian. Fortunately, Their Imperial Majesties, Mathghamhain and Isabeau, agreed to fulfill Our promise in Our stead. Sir Ian will be made a Lord on completion of his quest.

Sir Ian is the first to be made to fulfill a quest to receive Lordship. It is his hope, and mine as well, that this might serve as a model and example to others who esteem the title of Lord.

MANUALS

Although I am off the Throne now, I feel some measure of responsibility to see that the new manuals get done. I will help where I can.

501(c)(3)

It is my goal that the Adrian Empire, Inc., currently organized as a non-profit social organization (IRC 501(c)(7)) will be organized as a non-profit educational organization (IRC 501(c)(3)) as originally intended by our Imperial Estates. This would make donations (including dues!) to the Empire tax deductible, and could make it much easier to gain revenue. The Imperium has already budgeted the funds to accomplish this, and I have already received the financial information from the Steward's office. I have a sample form. We should be good to go soon. I am making this my personal responsibility.

ECS

As we grow ever closer to our sister Empire, the Empire of Chivalry and Steel (which was represented at the last Imperial Event), I hope to be involved in the process. I am on the committee.

RETIREMENT

Other than that, I plan to really retire. I will not be taking any ministry positions for a long time, if ever. Many of you, the populace, have learned to rely on me for information and action, and I really appreciate that. The time has come now for me to rest... and I really need it. The next Imperial Government is well-equipped to rule you well. The last few years have been very rewarding. We have accomplished much, and the Empire continues to grow. May the Dream Bless Adria, and all of you.

Sir Nikolai, Prince of Adria, Admiral of the Corsairs