The Scribe Academy of Midgard
The Scribe Academy is an independent organization founded by Count VanHarsen of Midgard. Dedicated to improving knowledge in the county, the Academy promotes basic education for all the inhabitants of the county, advanced research and the creation of legal and contractual documents.
Internal organization
The Scribe Academy of Midgard is chaired by the First Master Scribe who manages the orientations of the Academy and chairs the council.
The First Master Scribe is assisted by three Master scribes.
The Master Scribe - Popular Education
The Master Scribe - Popular Education ensures each profession is taught at the Academy.
They are is surrounded by many teachers that help new students to progress from novice to journeyman level. The training includes observation, which allows the student to become familiar with the basic techniques, reading references books and practice.
Each teacher is independent and can use the tools of the Academy according to their preferences. Once theoretical training is completed at the Academy, teaching in accredited workshop is encouraged.
In addition, in the County of Midgard, training is the responsibility of all craftsmen. As basic training ends with obtaining the journeyman title, only journeymen and experts are exempt from training. Starting at artisan level, all craftsmen must participate in training the novices.
The Master Scribe - Research
The Master Scribe - Research is responsible for the progress of science in Midgard. They provide the tools and support to research scholars of each professions. They guide research policies and ensure the Academy library is complete and up-to-date.
Research can be done in part at the Academy, but depending on professions, workshop research will be encouraged.
The Master Scribe - Research may also exempt some workers assigned to research from training. In partnership with The Master Scribe - Popular Education, they may designate craftsmen who will not be required to provide training so they can focus on research.
The Master Scribe - Law and Public Policies
The Master Scribe - Law and Public Policies ensures contracts are available for each situation requiring a signed and official agreement. Assisted by a team of scribes specializing in law, they ensure there is a contract available in the county; from the simplest transaction to the most complicated law.
This master scribe is also the main source of income of the Academy. They must ensure pricing is wisely set so that service providers are well-paid, but also revenues from contract sales allow the Academy to function and thrive.
They must also ensure an effective distribution system so that contracts are available, even in the smallest hamlets.
The Council
The Council, chaired by The First Master Scribe, is composed of the three master scribes, a representative of the teachers, a student and a member of the community. The Count may also send an emissary with voting rights to the council.
The mandates given for twenty-one years, except for the student who is replaced as soon as they reach journeyman.
Candidates must submit five signatures of delegates and be endorsed by the county or their emissary. Delegates must be registered and have paid the contribution to be allowed to vote.
The vote is done by turns and 50%+1 of the votes is required to be elected. In the first round, all candidates with less than 10% of the vote are disqualified. Then, a candidate is removed each round until one candidate receives 50%+1 of the votes.
Diplomacy
It is the responsibility of the Count and The First Master Scribe to appoint a delegate to Scribing related instances of the Duchy of Skuldheim and of the Kingdom of Arkadia, when applicable.
Cooperation agreements involving The Scribe Academy between the County and the Duchy or the Kingdom may also be signed by this delegate. However, these agreements should not limit the freedom and independence of The Scribe Academy.
Physical Organization
The Scribe Academy holds a main building where a reception allows visitors to identify and buy/supply contracts of all kinds.
Classrooms are also available to teachers and students. These classrooms are close to the Academy library.
Apartments are available for The First Master Scribe, who is required to reside at the Academy during his tenure. Apartments may also be available for master scribes according to their desires. The master scribes do not have the obligation to reside at the Academy; a rent fee will be required if they wish to enjoy this privilege.
Offices will also be available for daily work of members of the Academy.
Laws of the County
The Academy is under a legal obligation to respect each county law. Thus, deviant arts are not taught. On the other hand, as knowledge in itself should not be limited by legislations, the research for these forms of illegal knowledge will not be encouraged, but will not be penalized when performed within the Academy in a context of research without illegal aim.
The sale of illegal products is prohibited since it leads directly to criminal acts themselves.
Supply
The raw material supply is the responsibility of the Master Scribe - Law and Public Policies. Local entrepreneurship is encouraged. The Academy should avoid competing with local entrepreneurs and should prefer supply contracts with these local entrepreneurs rather than with foreigners.
On the other hand, if the local supply is insufficient for the needs of the Academy, it is his duty to ensure that resources are sufficient for its activities. The Academy may so produce required resources until a local contractor come fill the gap.
The main activity of the Academy, the creation of contracts, is not subject to this restriction.
