Adiantum

Sable, a double-headed bear erect affronty, forelegs upraised, heads displayed, Or, armed argent, langued and orbed gules, within a laurel wreath argent.

The Barony of Adiantum is located in the Principality of the Summits. It corresponds to the mundane region of Lane County in Oregon, and encompasses the cities of Eugene and Springfield. Stretching westward all the way to the Pacific Ocean, the Barony is bordered on the north by Terra Pomaria and Coeur du Val; on the east by Corvaria and Southmarch; and on the south by the shire of Briaroak.

The Barony was formally instated on March 27th, A.S. X/1976; its founding rulers were Michael of Dragonswood and Alyanora of Vinca, who governed the land as Baron and Baroness from then until A.S. XV/1980. The current Baron and Baroness are Brynjarr Olfúss and Isis Sat Ne Nes Bastet.

Adiantum has many talented and active members and has hosted a variety of events throughout its history. By far the largest and most well-known event is the Egil Skallagrimsson Memorial Tournament, held every year over the Memorial Day weekend since 1975 (except for the plague years of 2020 and 2021). In October, Amergin's Revenge, an indoor celebration of the bardic arts, is traditionally held. The Barony has also hosted An Tir-West War (in A.S. XXXII/1997 and A.S. XXXVIII/2003) and Twelfth Night Coronation (in 1977, 1984, 1990, 1994, 2000, 2003, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2020, and 2023).

The name "Adiantum" arises from the scientific genus name for the maidenhair fern, which can be found in plentiful quantities throughout the forests of the Barony. Legend has it that Adiantum's original proposed arms featured a banana slug -- another common fixture of the region -- but that this was squelched by the College of Heralds, leading to the adoption of the current arms: Sable, a double-headed bear erect affronty, forelegs upraised, heads displayed, Or, armed argent, langued and orbed gules, within a laurel wreath argent. The baronial mascot is also referred to as "The Bicranial Bear".

The Newsletter of Adiantum is The BiCranial Bear.

Previously it was was The Elf Hill Times (as mentioned in The Crier, May 1976), which later turned into the A&S publication. The Between Times, another prior newsletter, announced in the Oct 1977 Crier it was ceasing publication with the December issue, deferring to list Adiantum events in the Crier. It was presumably so named as the Elf Hill Times at that point was twice yearly.

The Barons & Baronesses of Adiantum

Michael of Dragonswood and Alyanora of Vinca, March 27, 1976 - July 1981

Ulfhedinn inn Vegfarandi and Reginleif the Unruly, July 1981 - May 1990

Yseult of Broceliande of Adiantum, May 1990 - May 1993

Steelwolf Blademaker and Anathea Yarnspinner, May 1993 - 1994

Anathea steps down Jan. 1994, Steelwolf steps down Sep. 1994

Ambrose Mavrorothakis and Marian Staarveld, Sept. 1994 - Sept. 2001

Simone Nicholls and Charlotte Nicholls le Pataiere, Sept. 2001

Simone steps down May 2003, Charlotte step down May 2005

Brutus Solamon and Katerine Martel, Mar. 2005 - May 2008

Tadhg O’Murchadha the Wanderer and Morrghan O’Siodhachain, May 2008 – May 2012

Viceroy Nadezhda Volyhskaiia, May 2012 – May 2013

Durin Oldenmoor and Ceridwen ferch Morgan, May 2013 – May 2019

Evan Dunbar and Ayla Roth, May 2019

Evan steps down May 2022, Ayla steps down Jan. 2023

Brynjarr Olfúss and Isis Sat Ne Nes Bastet, Jan. 2023 -

Major Events

Egil Skallagrimsson Memorial Tournament
Adiantum Sergeants Trials
Amergin's Revenge

Links Of Interest

• Adiantum website
• A tale of early Adiantum: "[1]" by Sister Guineth the White
• List of Barons and Baronesses (includes other baronies besides Adiantum): Territorial Barons and Baronesses Of An Tir from the An Tir Handbook