abstract: The Italian honours system is a means to reward achievements or service to the Italian Republic, formerly the Kingdom of Italy, including the Italian Social Republic.

text:
# Orders, decorations, and medals of Italy

The **Italian honours system** is a means to reward achievements or service to the Italian Republic, formerly the Kingdom of Italy, including the Italian Social Republic.

## Orders of chivalry

### Italian Republic

There are five orders of knighthood awarded in recognition of service to the Italian Republic. Below these sit a number of other decorations, associated and otherwise, that do not confer knighthoods. The degrees of knighthood, not all of which apply to all orders, are Knight (*Cavaliere* abbreviated *Cav.*), Officer (*Ufficiale* abbreviated *Uff.*), Commander (*Commendatore* abbr. *Comm.*), Grand Officer (*Grand'Ufficiale*, abbr. *Gr. Uff.*), Knight Grand Cross (*Cavaliere di Gran Croce*, abbr. *Cav. Gr. Croce*) and Knight Grand Cross with cordon (*Cavaliere di Gran Croce con cordone*).

Italian citizens may not use within the territory of the Republic honours or distinctions conferred on them by non-national orders or foreign states, unless authorised by Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The use of awards of the Holy See (including the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre) is to be authorized by Presidency of the Council of Ministers, while the use of those of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, enjoying formal recognition in Italy, do not need any authorization to boast.

The Royal House of Savoy, Italy's former Royal Family, also continues to bestow knighthoods in three orders of chivalry previously recognised by the Kingdom of Italy. In fact, Umberto II, the last King of Italy did not abdicate, and so he preserved his *fons honorum*: today the Grand Mastership of the orders remain under the prerogatives of Head of the House of Savoy, claimed between Vittorio Emanuele, Prince of Naples and Aimone, Duke of Aosta. Today these continue merely as dynastic orders of the Royal House in exile. While their bestowal is suppressed by law in Italy, the use of those decorations conferred prior to 1951 is recognised, exclusive of any right of precedence in official ceremonies. However the Savoy orders, are theoretically recognized by the Holy See amongst others, for example the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus were recognized by papal bull of Pope Gregory XIII, where he bestowed upon Emmanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy and his Savoy successors, the right to confer this knighthood in perpetuity.

The House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies from the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies additionally continues to bestow knighthoods, including the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George which is fully recognised by the Italian republic. Also the Houses of Bourbon-Parma and Habsburg-Tuscany continues to do so.

| Order of Merit of the Italian Republic |
| --- |
| The *Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana* (OMRI), instituted in 1951, is the highest ranking honour and most senior order of the Republic. It is awarded in five degrees for "merit acquired by the nation" in the fields of literature, the arts, economy, public service, and social, philanthropic and humanitarian activities and for long and conspicuous service in civilian and military careers. Save in exceptional circumstances, no one may be awarded a rank higher than Knight in the first instance. Three well-known exceptions are for the musician Luciano Pavarotti, who was first awarded a Commander in 1976, Erol Gelenbe the Turkish and French Computer Scientist who was awarded a Commander in 2005, and the Conductor Claudio Abbado, who was awarded a Knight Grand Cross in 1984. Investiture normally takes place on 2 June, the anniversary of the foundation of the Republic (celebrated in Italy as Festa della Repubblica) and on 27 December, the anniversary of the promulgation of the Italian Constitution. The badge bears the inscription *Al Merito della Repubblica* encircling the national emblem on the obverse and *Patriae Unitati* and *Civium Libertati* encircling the head of Italia Turrita on the reverse. The order is bestowed by decree of the President of the Italian Republic, as head of the orders of knighthood, on the recommendation of the President of the Council of Ministers. |
| Military Order of Italy |
| The *Ordine Militare d'Italia*, until 1947 the Military Order of Savoy (1815), is awarded for distinguished wartime conduct of individual personnel (or units of the armed forces) that have "proven expertise, sense of responsibility and valour." The lowest of its five degrees may also be awarded for peacetime actions. Recipients of the *Ordine Militare di Savoia* were transferred and retain their existing insignia and seniority. The badge bears the inscription *Al Merito Militare—1855*; the Savoy cross and letters V.E. substituted with R.I. and 1947, the date of the promulgation of the constitution. The order is bestowed by decree of the President of the Republic, head of the order, on the recommendation of the Minister of Defence. Today there are just 14 living recipients. The associated Medal of Military Valour, established in 1932, is subdivided into gold, silver and bronze categories. |
| Order of Merit for Labour |
| The *Ordine al Merito del Lavoro* is awarded to those "who have been singularly meritorious" in agriculture, commerce and industry. It was first instituted by Royal Decree on 9 May 1901, replacing the *Ordine Cavalleresco al Merito Agrario, Industriale e Commerciale* which had been created by Royal Decree on 1 March 1898. The order is open to all Italians, at home and overseas. Each year, on 1 June 25 new Knights of Labour are invested. The badge bears the inscription *Al Merito del Lavoro—1901*. The order is bestowed by decree of the President of the Republic, head of the order, on the recommendation of the Minister of Economic Development (successor to the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Craftsmanship). The associated Star of Merit for Labour, established in 1923, confers the title of Master of Labour. |
| Order of the Star of Italy |
| The *Ordine della Stella d'Italia* was originally instituted in 1947 as the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity, to recognise those expatriates and foreigners who made an outstanding contribution to the reconstruction of Italy after World War II. The badge bears the inscription *Solidarietà Italiana* encircling a depiction of the Good Samaritan. The order is bestowed in three degrees by decree of the President of the Republic, head of the order, on the recommendation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. In 2011, it was reformed and the emphasis shifted to the preservation and promotion of national prestige abroad. |
| Order of Vittorio Veneto |
| The *Ordine di Vittorio Veneto* was instituted with a single rank of Knight in 1968, "to express the gratitude of the nation" to those decorated with the Cross of War who had fought for at least six months in World War I and earlier conflicts. A small annuity was granted in favour of those recipients who did not enjoy an income above their tax allowance. The order was bestowed by decree of the President of the Republic, head of the order, on the recommendation of the Minister of Defence. Lying dormant, it was formally abolished in 2010. |

### The Kingdom of Italy

The Sardinian orders of the Most Holy Annunciation, of Saints Maurice and Lazarus and the Military and Civil orders of Savoy were continued on the unification of Italy in 1861. These were augmented during the Liberal period by the Order of the Crown of Italy, the Chivalrous Order of Agricultural, Industrial and Commercial Merit, the Colonial Order of the Star of Italy and later, by the Civil and Military Order of the Roman Eagle. In contrast to the Republican orders, the feminine style *Dama* is used for women.

The Knight Bachelor, usually transmitted by male primogeniture, was similar to a British baronetcy but older. These *Cavaliere Ereditario* were not, however, members of an order of chivalry.

| Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation |
| --- |
| The origins of the *Ordine supremo della Santissima Annunziata* date from 1362, when Amadeus VI, Count of Savoy, instituted the *Order of the Collar*, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Eventually, it became a requirement for a person to have already received the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus before being admitted. The highest ranking honour of the Kingdom of Italy and limited to 20 Knights; it continues to be awarded by the Sovereign Head of the order, the head of the House of Savoy, in recognition of "eminent services in high military positions, to those who have distinguished themselves in senior positions in the civil service and to those who, as private citizens, have brought distinction upon Italy as exemplary benefactors of the nation or of mankind or have rendered particularly noteworthy services to the former Royal house." |
| Military and Religious Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus |
| The *Ordine militare e religioso dei Santi Maurizio e Lazzaro* was formed in 1572 by a union of the original Order of Saint Maurice (1434) and the Italian foundation of the Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem (1142). Eventually, it became a requirement for a person to have already received the Order of the Crown of Italy in at least the same degree before being admitted. The order continues to be awarded by its Grand Master, for "significant contributions to science, literature, the arts, industry, trade, scholarship and research, the liberal arts, the professions, public service and other worthy fields of endeavour, which bring honour and greatness to the House of Savoy and benefits to humanity." The formerly associated Maurician Medal for Military Merit of ten lustrums (fifty years), established in 1839, was one of the few medals not suppressed by the Republic, becoming the Maurician Medal of Merit for ten lustrums military career in 1954. |
| Order of the Crown of Italy |
| The *Ordine della Corona d'Italia* was founded in 1868 by King Vittorio Emanuele II, to commemorate unification. The order was awarded more liberally than the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus and could be conferred on non-Catholics as well. It continued to be awarded for civilian and military merit by the head of the former Royal house in exile (acting as King of Italy) until the demise of the last reigning monarch in 1983. |
| Civil Order of Savoy |
| The *Ordine Civile di Savoia* was founded in 1831 by the King of Sardinia, Charles Albert, Duke of Savoy, to reward those virtues not belonging to the existing Military Order of Savoy. Admission, limited to 70 Italians, was in the personal gift of the monarch and, as such, it continues to be awarded, rarely, by the head of the House of Savoy to those who "have by their long and diligent efforts, become outstanding members of society, or who have contributed greatly to the common good," among the scientists, lettered, administrators, engineers, architects, artists, authors, athletes, philanthropist and publishers of discoveries and to the teachers of sciences and letters and the managers of education. It was replaced by his successor with the Order of Merit (falling within the Civil Order) of Savoy in 1988. |
| Colonial Order of the Star of Italy |
| The *Ordine coloniale della Stella d'Italia* was founded in 1914 by King Vittorio Emanuele III, to reward soldiers deployed in the colony of Libya. It had fallen into abeyance by 1943, when Allied forces re-took the colonies of Italian North Africa. |
| Order of the Roman Eagle |
| The Fascist *Ordine civile e militare dell'Aquila Romana* founded in 1942 with civil and military divisions was formally abolished in 1944; although it continued to be awarded in the short-lived Italian Social Republic with, from February to April 1945, the Order of the Patron Saints of Italy. |

### The Kingdom of two Sicilies

| **Order of Saint Januarius** |
| --- |
| The **Illustrious Royal Order of Saint Januarius** (Italian: *Insigne Reale Ordine di San Gennaro*) is an order of knighthood in the Roman Catholic Church. The order was founded by Charles VII of Naples in 1738. It was the last great dynastic order to be constituted as a chivalric fraternity, with a limitation to Roman Catholics and a direct attachment to the dynasty rather than the state. The founder of the order, Charles VII of Naples, ruled from 1734 until 1759. |
|  |
| The **Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George (SMOCG)** (Italian: *Sacro Militare Ordine Costantiniano di San Giorgio*, Spanish: *Sagrada Orden Militar Constantiniana de San Jorge*), also historically referred to as the **Imperial Constantinian Order of Saint George** and the **Order of the Constantinian Angelic Knights of Saint George**, is a dynastic order of knighthood of the House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies. The order was founded either in c. 330 (legendary) or c. 1545 (actual). |
| Order of Saint Ferdinand and Merit |
| The **Illustrious Royal Order of Saint Ferdinand and Merit** is an order of knighthood of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. It was established on 1 April 1800 by Ferdinand IV of Naples and III Sicily to reward men who performed important deeds and gave proof of loyalty to the Head of the Royal House and to the Royal Family. |
| Royal Order of the Two-Sicilies |
| The **Royal Order of the Two-Sicilies** (Italian: *Ordine reale delle Due Sicilie*) was a dynastic order of knighthood of the Kingdom of Naples and the Kingdom of Two Sicilies. The order was established 24 February 1808 by Joseph Bonaparte, who, at the time, was the King of Naples. The order was expanded and continued under the rule of Joachim Murat but was ultimately suppressed by Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies in 1819. Those Knights of the Order of the Two-Sicilies who were still active were instead awarded the Order of Saint George and Reunion. |
| Order of Saint George of the Reunion |
| The **Order of Saint George of the Reunion** is an order of knighthood of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. It was established to replace the Royal Order of the Two-Sicilies. It was created on 1 January 1819 by Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies to reward military valor and merit. It received its name to celebrate the reunification of Naples and Sicily into one kingdom after the Congress of Vienna. |
| Royal Order of Francis I |
| The **Royal Order of Francis I** (properly 'The Royal Order of Francis I of the Two Sicilies' Italian: *Reale Ordine di Francesco I*) was an extinct order of merit of the former Kingdom of the Two Sicilies which was annexed in 1861 by the King of Italy (until 1860 King of Piedmonte and Sardinia). It has been revived by Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro, as an award for services to charity and inter-religious understanding and includes a number of non-Catholic statesmen and stateswomen among its membership. |

## Decorations

### Italian Republic

| Name | Ribbon | Awarded for | Reference |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Medal of Military Valor |  | Exceptional valor in the face of the enemy |  |
| War Cross for Military Valor |  | Valor in time of war |  |
| Medal of Valor of the Army |  | Activities bringing luster and decorum to the Italian Army not in time of war |  |
| Medal of Valor of the Navy |  | Acts of courage aimed at saving lives at sea |  |
| Medal of Valor of the Air Forces |  | Acts of courage and philanthropy in the Air Forces |  |
| Medal of Valor of the Carabineri Branch |  | Acts of courage in military operations not in time of war serving the Carabinieri |  |
| Medal of Valor of the Financial Guard |  | Acts of courage aimed at saving lives, preventing accidents, or bringing luster and decorum while serving the Guardia di Finanza |  |
| Award for Civil Valor |  | Acts of exceptional courage manifesting civic virtue |  |

## Medals

### Medals of Merit

* War Merit Cross
* Army Cross of Merit
* Navy Cross of Merit
* Air Force Cross of Merit
* Carabinieri Cross of Merit
* Financial Guard Cross of Merit
* Civil Merit Cross
* Labour Merit Star
* Medal of Merit for Culture and Art

### Service medals

## Footnotes

1. "Autorizzazione a fregiarsi di Ordini cavallereschi/Benemerenze non nazionali" (PDF).
2. "Ordini Cavallereschi del Regno d'Italia" (in Italian). Corpo della Nobiltà Italiana. Archived from the original on 7 May 2006. Retrieved 10 September 2009.
3. Law No. 178 of 3 March 1951 *Istituzione dell'Ordine "Al Merito della Repubblica Italiana" e disciplina del conferimento e dell'uso delle onorificenze* (Institution of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic and discipline of the conferment and the use of honours), published in Gazzetta Ufficiale No. 73, 30 March 1951 (in Italian).
4. "Order of Saint Lazarus: Primary sources" (PDF).
5. "The Constantinian Order and the Italian Republic - Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George". 4 October 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
6. Le Onorificenze: Luciano Pavarotti (in Italian)
7. Le Onorificenze: Claudio Abbado (in Italian).
8. "The Italian Honours Procedure" (PDF). Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Department of Protocol. Retrieved 5 October 2008.
9. "Ordini Cavallereschi della Republica Italiana" (in Italian). Corpo della Nobiltà Italiana. Archived from the original on 7 May 2006. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
10. Royal Decree No. 1423(1) of 4 November 1932 *Medaglia e Croce di Guerra al Valor Militare,* published in Gazzetta Ufficiale No. 261, 2 November 1932 (in Italian).
11. Law No. 316(1) of 1 March 1967 *Nuove norme per la concessione della "Stella al merito del lavoro"* (New rules for the concession of the Star of Merit for Labour), published in Gazzetta Ufficiale No. 133, 29 May 1967 (in Italian).
12. Law No. 13 of 3 February 2011 *Modifiche ed integrazioni al decreto legislativo 9 marzo 1948, n. 812, recante nuove norme relative all'Ordine della Stella della solidarieta' italiana* (Changes and additions to Legislative Decree No. 812 of 9 March 1948 establishing new rules for the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity), published in Gazzetta Ufficiale No. 49, 1 March 2011 (in Italian).
13. Legislative Decree No. 66 of 15 March 2010 *Codice dell'ordinamento militare* (Code of Military Ordinances) Article 2268 para. 596, published in Ordinary Supplement No. 84 of Gazzetta Ufficiale No. 106, 8 March 2010 (in Italian).
14. Hooper, John (23 June 2006). "The fall of the house of Savoy". *The Guardian*. Archived from the original on 27 August 2009. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
15. Mendola, Louis A.M. (1989). *Italian Titles of Nobility*. London: Journal of the Orders and Medals Research Society. Archived from the original on 21 June 2010. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
16. Sainty, Guy Stair (2006). *World Orders of Knighthood and Merit*. Buckingham: Burke's Peerage and Gentry. p. 257.
17. Statutes of the Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation Archived 3 October 2015 at the Wayback Machine (trans. Louis A.M. Mendola) 1409, most recently revised 3 June 1869. Retrieved 28 February 2010.
18. Statutes of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus Archived 3 October 2015 at the Wayback Machine (trans.) 1572, most recently revised 30 October 1999. Retrieved 28 February 2010.
19. Law No. 203(1) of 7 March 1954 Archived 5 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine *Medaglia Mauriziana al Merito di dieci lustri di carriera militare,* published in Gazzetta Ufficiale No. 116, 21 May 1954 (in Italian), as amended by Law No. 1327 of 8 November 1956.
20. Statutes of the Civil Order of Savoy Archived 3 October 2015 at the Wayback Machine (trans.) 29 October 1831, renewed by Royal Decree of 1 October 1850 and 27 March 1887, revised 11 June 1985. Retrieved 28 February 2010.
21. Statutes of the Order of Merit of Savoy Archived 25 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine (trans.) 23 January 1988, revised 10 October 1996. Retrieved 21 February 2010.
22. Mendola, Louis A.M. (1993). *Contemporary Knighthood in Italy*. London: Journal of the Orders and Medals Research Society. Archived from the original on 31 October 2010. Retrieved 21 February 2010.
23. "le Onorificenze - Medaglia e Croce di Guerra al Valor Militare". *Quirinale* (in Italian). Retrieved 11 March 2018.
24. "Medaglie e Croci al Valor Militare". *www.esercito.difesa.it* (in Italian). Retrieved 11 March 2018.
25. "Medaglia al Valore dell'Esercito". *www.esercito.difesa.it* (in Italian). Retrieved 11 March 2018.
26. "le Onorificenze - Medaglie al valore e al merito di Marina". *Quirinale* (in Italian). Retrieved 11 March 2018.
27. "le Onorificenze - Medaglia al Valor Aeronautico". *Quirinale* (in Italian). Retrieved 11 March 2018.
28. "Il sito ufficiale della Presidenza della Repubblica". *Quirinale* (in Italian). Archived from the original on 27 July 2009. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
29. "le Onorificenze - Ricompense al Valore e al Merito dell'Esercito". *Quirinale* (in Italian). Retrieved 11 March 2018.
30. "le Onorificenze - Medaglia al Valor Civile". *Quirinale* (in Italian). Retrieved 11 March 2018.


title: Governor of Rivne Oblast

abstract: The governor of Rivne Oblast is the head of executive branch for the Rivne Oblast. The office of governor is an appointed position, with officeholders being appointed by the president of Ukraine, on recommendation from the prime minister of Ukraine, to serve four-year term. The official residence for the governor is located in Rivne.

text:
# Governor of Rivne Oblast

The **governor of Rivne Oblast** is the head of executive branch for the Rivne Oblast.

The office of governor is an appointed position, with officeholders being appointed by the president of Ukraine, on recommendation from the prime minister of Ukraine, to serve four-year term.

The official residence for the governor is located in Rivne.

## Governors

1. "Zelensky appoints new governors of Donetsk, Rivne oblasts". *The Kyiv Independent*. 28 December 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
2. "Rivne official asks Avakov to bring National Guard to region to stop amber mining". Retrieved 28 July 2016.
3. "УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ №671/2019". *ПРЕЗИДЕНТ УКРАЇНИ ВОЛОДИМИР ЗЕЛЕНСЬКИЙ* (in Ukrainian). 9 September 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
4. Interfax-Ukraine (September 10, 2019). "Zelensky introduces new head of Rivne regional administration Vitaliy Koval". *Kyiv Post*. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
5. https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/12/12/7432760/

## Sources

* World Statesmen.org

## InfoBox

| Governor of Rivne Oblast | |
| --- | --- |
| Seal of Rivne Oblast | |
| Incumbent
Oleksandr Koval
since 28 December 2023 | |
| Residence | Rivne |
| Term length | Four years |
| Inaugural holder | Roman Vasylyshyn
1992–1994 |
| Formation | 1992 as Presidential representative |
| Website | Government of Rivne Oblast |


title: A. grandis

abstract:
A. grandis may refer to:
  - Abies grandis, the grand fir, giant fir, lowland white fir, great silver fir, Western white fir, Vancouver fir or Oregon fir, a tree species native to the Pacific Northwest and Northern California of North America
  - Aeshna grandis, the brown hawker, a large dragonfly species widespread in England
  - Alternanthera grandis, a plant species endemic to Ecuador
  - Angistorhinus grandis, an extinct phytosaur species found in Texas and Wyoming in the United States and that lived from the Late Triassic period
  - Astelia grandis, a plant species in the genus Astelia native to New Zealand
  - Aublysodon grandis, a nomen dubium given to a large number of carnivorous dinosaur teeth

text:
# A. grandis

***A. grandis*** may refer to:

* *Abies grandis*, the grand fir, giant fir, lowland white fir, great silver fir, Western white fir, Vancouver fir or Oregon fir, a tree species native to the Pacific Northwest and Northern California of North America
* *Aeshna grandis*, the brown hawker, a large dragonfly species widespread in England
* *Alternanthera grandis*, a plant species endemic to Ecuador
* *Angistorhinus grandis*, an extinct phytosaur species found in Texas and Wyoming in the United States and that lived from the Late Triassic period
* *Astelia grandis*, a plant species in the genus *Astelia* native to New Zealand
* *Aublysodon grandis*, a nomen dubium given to a large number of carnivorous dinosaur teeth


title: Pill Awards

abstract: The Pill Awards are an annual awards ceremony held in New York City. Organized by Public-access television cable TV television show ADD-TV, the awards honor artists in the LGBT community and are the brain child of cinematographer and editor George Lyter.

text:
# Pill Awards

**The Pill Awards** are an annual awards ceremony held in New York City. Organized by Public-access television cable TV television show ADD-TV, the awards honor artists in the LGBT community and are the brain child of cinematographer and editor George Lyter.

## Selected winners

| Awardee | Award | Year | For |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Amanda Lepore | Best Wardrobe | 2010 | "Cotton Candy" |
| Austin Young | Best Short | 2010 | "Gimme More" (episode 6) of *The Worm* |
| Austin Young | Best Director of a Short (Documentary or Narrative) | 2010 | "The Opponent" (episode 7) of *The Worm* |
| Cazwell | Best White Trash/Ghetto | 2010 | "I Seen Beyoncé at Burger King" featuring Jonny Makeup |
| Colton Ford | Sexy Pill | 2010 | "That's Me |
| Junior Vasquez | Lifetime Achievement Award | 2010 |  |
| Samwell | Parody Pill | 2010 | "Samwell Goes to the Woods" |
| Samwell | Best Animationa/FX | 2010 | "What What (in the Butt)" |
| Sherry Vine | Best Drag | 2010 | "Supersizer" |
| Whore's Mascara | Virgin Pill (newcomer to ADD-TV) | 2010 | "All I Want" |
| Wolfgang Busch | Best Documentary | 2007 | "How Do I Look documentary" |
| Nick Name | Best Video | 2003 | "Who's Your Daddy?" |


title: Rauso

abstract: Rauso was a region in the Horn of Africa in Late Antiquity.

text:
# Rauso

**Rauso** was a region in the Horn of Africa in Late Antiquity.

## Geography

The *Monumentum Adulitanum* is a third-century monumental inscription by an anonymous King of Axum recording his various victories in war. It is lost, but its text was copied down in the 6th century by Cosmas Indicopleustes in his *Christian Topography*. It describes how he conquered a land and people called Rauso to the west of Aromata. The description of the land is congruous with modern-day Dollo Zone and Haud also translated "Land of Incense" or "Frankincense Country":

> I subjugated the peoples of Rauso who live in the midst of incense-gathering barbarians between great waterless plains.

British Anglican priest William Vincent described the region of Rauso as stretching westwards from Aromata all the way to the hinterlands of the hitherto prospective Adal Kingdom. During its extant existence, the contemporary polity to the north of Rauso was Sesea. The region of Rauso could also be congruous with the Nugaal plains of northern Somalia. It may have been located further inland towards the Ethiopian highlands near Raaso. Laurence P. Kirwan identified it with the Danakil Desert, inhabited today by the Afar.

## Politics

Frederick Guest Tomlins described Rauso as a kingdom. It also had an alternative toponym by the epithet of *Raithus,* or as Ptolemy used to call it; *Rhaptus*. It used to exchange ordained religious ministers with the northern principalities. A predominant religion practised during the Rauso period was Waaqism. During the classical era, through contact with Hadhramaut and Himyarite traders, the Rauso kingdom had contact with Abrahamic religions too, in the form of Christianity in the former and Judaism in the latter, and some of these populations had settled and became Somalized. The pre-Rauso era is largely regarded as corresponding with Lowland East Cushitic history.

Rauso was situated in the vicinity of a major trade route linking the interiors of Ethiopia with the coast; thus it was part of the wider incense and aromatics trade centred in Barbaria. It was bordered to the south by various Horner and Cushitic tribal groupings such as the Northern Azanians, the Ormas, the Bazrangids, the Tunni, and Gabooye. Sometime during the latter half of the 1st millennium, Rauso was replaced by the Jabarta and Ximan civilizations. Concurrently, there also existed a predominantly Christian civilization called *Harli* towards the north in the Nugaal Valley.


title: William Stapleton (d. 1457)

abstract: William Stapleton was a member of the English gentry who held several official offices in his native county of Cumberland. He was stylised as Lord of Edenhall. and a retainer of Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick. He died in October 1457; his Inquisition post mortem records that at this time there had been an incursion into the north of the county with much damage done. His eldest daughter Mary married William de Hilton.

text:
# William Stapleton (d. 1457)

**William Stapleton** (c. 1390 – 1457) was a member of the English gentry who held several official offices in his native county of Cumberland. He was stylised as Lord of Edenhall. and a retainer of Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick. He died in October 1457; his *Inquisition post mortem* records that at this time there had been an incursion into the north of the county with much damage done. His eldest daughter Mary married William de Hilton.


title: Rapide (song)

abstract: "Rapide" is a song performed by Italian singer Mahmood. The song was released as a digital download on 16 January 2020 by Island Records. The song peaked at number five on the Italian Singles Chart.

text:
# Rapide (song)

"**Rapide**" is a song performed by Italian singer Mahmood. The song was released as a digital download on 16 January 2020 by Island Records. The song peaked at number five on the Italian Singles Chart.

## Background

The song was produced by Dardust and written by Mahmood, Dario Faini (as Dardust) and Francesco Catitti. Wiwibloggs said, "'Rapide' sets a different tone compared to Mahmood's previous singles 'Barrio' and 'Soldi'. The track sees the reigning Sanremo champ touches upon different relationship aspects. He gets even with a past love. Lyrics like "I won't fall into your rapids" or "now that I have nothing I'll defend myself from the trust I didn't and don't have" underline his state of mind. Mahmood also brings the subject of cheating and heartbreak across in his delicate vocal delivery. With the support of simple yet effective production, the chorus is where his voice stands out the most. Several Italian expletives are interwoven throughout the lyrics, illustrating his frustrations."

## Music video

A music video to accompany the release of "Rapide" was first released onto YouTube on 23 January 2020. The music video was produced by Antonio Giampalo for Maestro Production.

## Accolades

Year-end lists

| Publication | Accolade | Rank | Ref. |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| *All Music Italia* | The Best Songs of 2020 | 13 |  |
| *Rockit* | The 30 Best Italian Songs of 2020 | 15 |  |
| *Rolling Stone* | The 15 Best Italian Songs of 2020 | 9 |  |
|

## Track listing

Digital download
| No. | Title | Length |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1. | "Rapide" | 4:03 |

## Charts

### Weekly charts

| Chart (2020) | Peak
position |
| --- | --- |
| Italy (FIMI) | 5 |

### Year-end charts

| Chart (2020) | Position |
| --- | --- |
| Italy (FIMI) | 33 |

## Certifications

| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Italy (FIMI) | 2× Platinum | 140,000 |
| Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
 | | |

## Release history

| Region | Date | Format | Label |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Italy | 16 January 2020 |  | Island Records |

## InfoBox

| "Rapide" | |
| --- | --- |
|  | |
| Single by Mahmood | |
| from the album  *Ghettolimpo* | |
| Released | 16 January 2020 |
| Recorded | 2019 |
| Genre |  |
| Length | 4:03 |
| Label | Island Records |
| Songwriter(s) |  |
| Producer(s) | Dardust |
| Mahmood singles chronology | |
| "Barrio"
(2019) "**Rapide**"
(2020) "Moonlight popolare"
(2020) | |


title: Methley Joint Railway

abstract: The Methley Joint Railway was a short English railway line constructed by the Bradford, Wakefield and Leeds Railway company, connecting its Leeds direction line with other companies' eastward routes to York, the north-east, and Goole. The line connected collieries along its route. The BW&LR changed its name to the West Yorkshire Railway at the same time. The line was double track, just over five miles in length, between junctions at Lofthouse and Methley. The connected Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway and the North Eastern Railway were brought in to joint ownership of the line in 1864, and the line opened in 1865; passenger traffic was delayed, starting in 1869. A variety of passenger train services operated over the route, but the line closed to passenger trains in 1964, and completely in 1981.

text:
# Methley Joint Railway

The **Methley Joint Railway** (or *Methley joint line*) was a short English railway line constructed by the Bradford, Wakefield and Leeds Railway company, connecting its Leeds direction line with other companies' eastward routes to York, the north-east, and Goole. The line connected collieries along its route. The BW&LR changed its name to the West Yorkshire Railway at the same time. The line was double track, just over five miles in length, between junctions at Lofthouse and Methley.

The connected Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway and the North Eastern Railway were brought in to joint ownership of the line in 1864, and the line opened in 1865; passenger traffic was delayed, starting in 1869.

A variety of passenger train services operated over the route, but the line closed to passenger trains in 1964, and completely in 1981.

## Origin

The Bradford, Wakefield and Leeds Railway had opened in 1857, forming a link between Wakefield and Leeds. It was worked by the Great Northern Railway, and gave that company a much improved access to Leeds.

Although worked by the GNR, the company took the initiative in seeking extensions to its network, and in the 1863 session of Parliament the BW&LR sought powers for a branch from Lofthouse to Methley and another to Low Moor, and to change its name to the West Yorkshire Railway. The Lofthouse to Methley branch and change of title were sanctioned by an Act of 21 July 1863, but the Low Moor branch was rejected. The Act also authorised running powers over the North Eastern Railway from Methley to Castleford (and towards York) and over the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway from Pontefract to Leeds.

The L&YR and the North Eastern Railway had strongly resisted the authorisation of the line, but an agreement was made with those companies to admit them to joint ownership of the line, in return for their not opposing the absorption of the Leeds, Bradford and Halifax Junction Railway and the Bradford, Wakefield and Leeds Railway by the GNR.

By an Act of 23 June 1864, the Methley Railway (as the branch had now been named) transferred to the joint ownership of the West Yorkshire Railway (former BW&LR), L&YR, and NER. The L&YR and the NER subscribed £25,000 of capital each, so that the Joint Line capital of £75,000 was equally shared. A Methley Joint Committee was set up, each company appointing two directors: the first meeting was on 8 August 1864. Stations were to be at Stanley and Methley, also at Lofthouse, (at the junction with the main line). In addition, sidings were provided at Lofthouse Alum Works, and at several collieries; the line was double track. A fixed toll on all traffic would be paid into a joint fund. Up to 18 March 1867 each company had subscribed £34,500 for the joint line.

The railway diverged from the West Yorkshire Railway at Lofthouse \[North\] junction; at first the access was from the north alone. The line was 5 miles 3 chains (8.1 km) long, and joined the former York and North Midland Railway line (now North Eastern Railway) at Methley Joint Line junction. At Methley High Level junction, close to the eastern extremity of the line, it bifurcated, platforms being provided on both forks at Methley station, and a 30 chain spur connected with the L&YR at a junction at Methley named Lofthouse junction.

## Opening and operation

The double track line needed three Board of Trade inspections before it was approved, in 1865. On 19 September it was passed for passenger traffic. Goods traffic was begun in June or August 1865. The GNR's account for working the line for the first half of 1867 was £510. The NER stated that the charges were 20% too high, to which the GNR retorted that if the NER desired to work the line for 20% less it was welcome to do so. Passenger operation was delayed despite agitation from the local population: it was not until 1 June 1869 that a passenger service was run. Lofthouse South fork was not in regular passenger use in its early years.

Platforms were provided at Methley on the fork to Lofthouse Junction (L&YR), but no regular passenger service appears to have used them.

## WYR absorbed by the Great Northern Railway

The West Yorkshire Railway (formerly Bradford, Wakefield and Leeds Railway) was absorbed by the Great Northern Railway, effective from 1 January 1865. This was confirmed by an Act of 5 July, and the one third share of the Methley Joint line passed to the GNR from 5 September 1865.

The GNR soon obtaining running powers over the NER as far as Milford junction, and started a goods service to that point from Bradford on 8 June 1866.

## Train services

The GNR began running a passenger service over the Joint Line from 1 May 1869, and from 13 May GNR trains started to work through to the NER station at Castleford from both Wakefield and Leeds. In reply the Midland Railway commenced a Leeds-Castleford service on 1 August, but despite the more direct route it was soon taken off. An even shorter-lived experiment was a through GNR service from Bradford to York via the Methley Joint Line, which was operated only in the summers of 1876 and 1877. The Methley Joint station at Methley was the third in this locality, its nearest namesake being Methley Junction on the L&YR Pontefract line. At its eastern end the MJR crossed the floodplain of the River Calder, and inundation of the tracks was a perpetual hazard; in 1892 it was recommended that the line be lifted by as much as four feet for a length of 500 yards.

By an agreement of 20 October 1870, the GNR was allowed 33% of gross receipts for working the Methley Joint passenger service, altered on 1 January 1885 to 1s per mile for "all trains necessary to the branch". Several new collieries were opened along it and suitable sidings put in.

## Infrastructure changes

The signalling was altered for interlocking in preparation for installation of the block system, ready for two new services beginning on 1 May 1876. A south curve at Lofthouse, making a triangular junction there, and a new joint station were brought into use on 1 May 1876. Lofthouse Joint station was built on the curve, and was located on a 1 in 90 gradient. The station and curve carried a service of six trains each way on weekdays and two on Sundays between Wakefield (Kirkgate) and Milford Junction via Methley.

Lofthouse Joint station was renamed Lofthouse in the February 1881 timetable, and again renamed Lofthouse & Outwood in July 1888.

After the withdrawal of the North Eastern Railway York to Leeds service via Methley, the portion of the Methley branch between Methley Joint Junction and Methley Junction fell into disuse for passenger services, but the track was not removed until 1943. On 4 October of that year the Methley Junction L&YR station was closed.

## After 1923

At the grouping of 1923 the line passed to the joint ownership of the LMS and the LNER.

The passenger service using the Lofthouse south curve was discontinued from 17 June 1957.

On 5 May 1958 diesel multiple unit trains began working from Leeds Central over the Methley Joint Line into Castleford Central (as the NER station had been renamed), and then continued to Pontefract. This service was discontinued from 2 November 1964, when the Methley Joint Line was closed to all passenger traffic.

The western end of the line from Lofthouse junctions to Newmarket (Silkstone) Colliery was closed completely from 5 April 1965; the colliery traffic was accessible to and from the Methley end only; the connection at Methley to the L&YR was closed from 27 March 1967, leaving only the route to the former NER line.

The line closed completely on 23 February 1981.

## Locations

### Main line

* *Lofthouse South Junction*; on BW&LR;
* Lofthouse Joint station; opened 1 June 1869; renamed Lofthouse 1881; renamed Lofthouse and Outwood 1888; closed 1957;
* *Lofthouse East Junction*;
* Stanley; opened 1 May 1869; closed 2 November 1964;
* *Newmarket Colliery West Junction*;
* *Newmarket Colliery East Junction*;
* *Methley South Junction*;
* *Methley NE Junction*.

### North curve at Lofthouse

* *Lofthouse North Junction*;
* *Lofthouse East Junction*.

### Connection to L&YR at Methley

* *Methley South Junction*;
* Methley; opened 1 May 1869; renamed Methley South 1951; closed 7 March 1960;
* *Lofthouse Junction* (at Methley) on L&YR.


abstract: Orders, decorations, and medals of Kenya are awarded by the President of Kenya "in recognition of outstanding or distinguished services rendered to the nation in various capacities and responsibilities". Awards are made by the president upon the advice of a National Honours and Awards Committee in the president's office. Individuals are nominated for awards by district committees, government ministries, religious organisations, non-governmental organisations, individuals and others. The Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart is the highest honour awarded by the Kenyan government.

text:
# Orders, decorations, and medals of Kenya

**Orders, decorations, and medals of Kenya** are awarded by the President of Kenya "in recognition of outstanding or distinguished services rendered to the nation in various capacities and responsibilities". Awards are made by the president upon the advice of a National Honours and Awards Committee in the president's office. Individuals are nominated for awards by district committees, government ministries, religious organisations, non-governmental organisations, individuals and others. The *Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart* is the highest honour awarded by the Kenyan government.

## Awards

* 1st Class – Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart (C.G.H.)
* 2nd Class – Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (E.G.H.)
* 3rd Class – Moran of the Order of the Golden Heart (M.G.H.)
* Uhodari Medal
* Order of the Burning Spear

* 1st Class – Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (C.B.S.)
* 2nd Class – Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (E.B.S.)
* 3rd Class – Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (M.B.S.)
* Order of the Grand Warrior The **Order of the Grand Warrior** (O.G.W) is an award presented to individuals in recognition of an outstanding service rendered to the country in different responsibilities and capacities. More importantly, it is an award presented to those who put their lives at risk to save their fellow countrymen. The recipients of the O.G.W are those who leave a lasting image on their fellow countrymen by putting their country first before their personal feelings and interests. Among the notable recipients of this award include Former Senate Speaker, Hon. David Ekwee Ethuro, former speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Justin Bedan Muturi, former leader of the majority party in the Senate, and currently the Cabinet secretary for Internal and Administration of National Government Hon. Prof. Kithure Kindiki, and the Cabinet Secretary for Environment Hon. Adan Duale. Another notable figure to receive this award is Salah Farah, a Kenyan Muslim who shielded Christians during an Al-Shabaab ambush in Mandera town in Kenya.
* Distinguished Conduct Order
* Distinguished Service Medal
* Silver Star
* Uzalendo Award
* Head of State's Commendation (H.S.C.)

* Military Division
* Civilian Division

## Notable recipients

### Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart (C.G.H)

The President of Kenya holds the position of *Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya*. The incumbent is William Samoei Ruto.

The *Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya* is the highest honour in Kenya, and as of 2009 the award has been bestowed on 198 people since Kenyan independence. Recipients of this award include Yoweri Museveni the President of Uganda, Aga Khan IV, Reimond Kipkesio and Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, 53rd Dai al-Mutlaq of the Dawoodi Bohra community.

### Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (E.G.H)

The *Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart* (E.G.H.) is the second highest honour awarded by the republic of Kenyan government.

On 20 April 2017, President Uhuru Kenyatta awarded the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart to His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, at the inauguration of Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah in Nairobi.

On 20 October 2019, President Kenyatta awarded the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya to Eliud Kipchoge for running a sub two-hour marathon in Vienna, Austria.

### Order of the Grand Warrior

Salah Farah received the award for dying trying to fend off a terrorist attack. The Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta, said Farah "...is a costly reminder that we all have a role to protecting our freedoms."

Another notable recipient is the chief principal of Moi High School Kabarak, Mrs Elisheba Cheruiyot

## Bars

| **Ribbon bars** | | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
|
Order of the Golden Heart |
Order of the Burning Spear |
Order of the Grand Warrior |
Distinguished Service Medal |
Silver Star of Kenya |


title: Rachel Sánchez

abstract: Rachel Sánchez Pérez is a Cuban volleyball player who competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics.

text:
# Rachel Sánchez

**Rachel Sánchez Pérez**  (born 9 January 1989 in Pinar del Río) is a Cuban volleyball player who competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics.

## Career

In 2008, she was a middle-blocker in the Cuban team that finished fourth in the Olympic tournament.

With her Cuban team Ciudad Habana at the Liga Nacional 2011, Sánchez won the MVP award and the championship.

Sánchez moved to the Kazakh League for the 2013/14, playing with Zhetyssu Almaty.

Sánchez won the bronze medal at the 2015 FIVB Club World Championship, playing with the Swiss club Voléro Zürich.

## Awards

### Individual

* *2011 Cuban Liga Nacional "Most valuable player"*

### Club

1. Olimpiada Cubana. "Rachel Sanchez Perez" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2011-03-07.
2. JIT. "Cierre con juegos de Estrellas y premiaciones" (in Spanish). Retrieved 2011-03-07.
3. "Svizzera F: 2 arrivi al Volero Zurigo" (in Italian). Zurich, Switzerland: Volleyball.it. 2014-06-05. Retrieved 2015-05-11.
4. "NLA VolleyGuide 2014-2015". Swiss Volley. 2014. p. 25. Retrieved 2015-05-11.
5. "Volero get it right on third try". Zurich, Switzerland: FIVB. 2015-05-10. Retrieved 2015-05-11.

## InfoBox

| Rachel Sánchez | |
| --- | --- |
| Personal information | |
| Full name | Rachel Sánchez Pérez |
| Nationality | Cuban |
| Born | (1989-01-09)9 January 1989
Pinar del Río |
| Hometown | Pinar del Río |
| Height | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) |
| Weight | 75 kg (165 lb) |
| Spike | 325 cm (128 in) |
| Block | 320 cm (130 in) |
| Volleyball information | |
| Position | Outside hitter, Middle blocker |
| Current club | Panathinaikos |
| Career | |
| Years Teams  2008–2011
2013–2014
2014–2015
2015–2016
2016–2017
2017–2018
2018–2019
2019–2020
2020–2021  La Habana
Almaty VC
Volero Zürich
RC Cannes
Trabzon İdmanocağı
Halkbank Ankara
Çanakkale Belediyespor
İller Bankası
Panathinaikos | |
| National team | |
| 2005–2010 Cuba | |
| Honours      Women's volleyball  Representing  Cuba  FIVB World Grand Prix  2008 Yokohama Team  Pan-American Cup  2007 Colima Team  2006 San Juan Team  Central American and Caribbean Games  2006 Cartagena Team | |
| Last updated: May 2015 | |


title: Glomera

abstract: Glomera is a genus of orchids, with more than 130 species. They are native to Laos, Indonesia, the Philippines, New Guinea and Melanesia. The genera Ischnocentrum Schltr. and Sepalosiphon Schltr. are synonyms of this genus.

text:
# Glomera

***Glomera*** is a genus of orchids (family Orchidaceae), with more than 130 species. They are native to Laos, Indonesia, the Philippines, New Guinea and Melanesia.

The genera ***Ischnocentrum*** Schltr. and ***Sepalosiphon*** Schltr. are synonyms of this genus.

## Species

## InfoBox

| *Glomera* | |
| --- | --- |
|  | |
| *Glomera erythrosma*
illustration c 1890 | |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| *Clade*: | Tracheophytes |
| *Clade*: | Angiosperms |
| *Clade*: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Epidendroideae |
| Tribe: | Arethuseae |
| Subtribe: | Coelogyninae |
| Genus: | *Glomera*
Blume |
|
| Synonyms | |
| * *Glossorhyncha* Ridl. * *Giulianettia* Rolfe * *Ischnocentrum* Schltr. * *Sepalosiphon* Schltr. | |


title: Pierre Monier

abstract: Pierre Monier or Mosnier was a French painter and author. Mosnier was born in Blois. His father Jean Monier was also painter, and was his first teacher. In 1664, he won the inaugural Prix de Rome for his painting la Conquête de la Toison d’Or. In 1665, he travelled to Rome to continue his studies at the School of Rome. He moved back and took up residence in Paris, where he fulfilled a number of commissions, primarily religious-themed works for churches, such as for the Saint-Sulpice, Paris. On 6 October 1674, he accepted as an Academician for his painting Hercule se préparant à la défense de la ville de Thèbes, sa patrie, menacée par les Minyens, et recevant d’Apollon des flèches, de Mercure une épée et de Vulcain une cuirasse. Mosnier later taught at the Académie de peinture et de sculpture. In 1698, he wrote and published a series of three books on art: History of the Arts Associated with Drawing. Monier continued to paint until his death in 1703. He died in Paris.

text:
# Pierre Monier

**Pierre Monier**  or **Mosnier** (17 May 1641 – 29 December 1703) was a French painter and author.

Mosnier was born in Blois. His father Jean Monier was also painter, and was his first teacher. In 1664, he won the inaugural Prix de Rome for his painting *la Conquête de la Toison d’Or* ("The Conquest of the Golden Fleece"). In 1665, he travelled to Rome to continue his studies at the School of Rome. He moved back and took up residence in Paris, where he fulfilled a number of commissions, primarily religious-themed works for churches, such as for the Saint-Sulpice, Paris.

On 6 October 1674, he accepted as an Academician for his painting *Hercule se préparant à la défense de la ville de Thèbes, sa patrie, menacée par les Minyens, et recevant d’Apollon des flèches, de Mercure une épée et de Vulcain une cuirasse*.

Mosnier later taught at the Académie de peinture et de sculpture. In 1698, he wrote and published a series of three books on art: *History of the Arts Associated with Drawing*. Monier continued to paint until his death in 1703. He died in Paris.

## Selected works

* **1664**: *La Conquête de la Toison d’Or*
* **1665**: *le Parlement assemblé afin de juger un procès pour le marquis de Locmaviaker*
* **1674**: *Hercule se préparant à la défense de la ville de Thèbes, sa patrie, menacée par les Minyens, et recevant d’Apollon des flèches, de Mercure une épée et de Vulcain une cuirasse*
* **1698**: *Histoire des arts qui ont raport au dessein* (Paris: Pierre Giffart) Digitization of first edition on Gallica
* **1699**: *Notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ, entouré de ses apôtres, appelle à lui les petits enfants*

## InfoBox

| Pierre Monier | |
| --- | --- |
| Born | (1641-05-17)17 May 1641
Blois, France |
| Died | 29 December 1703(1703-12-29) (aged 62)
Paris, France |
| Notable work | *La Conquête de la Toison d’Or* |
| Parent | Jean Monier |
| Awards | Prix de Rome (1664) |


title: Ravenloft: Realm of Terror

abstract: Ravenloft: Realm of Terror is a boxed set accessory published in 1990 for the Ravenloft campaign setting for the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.

text:
# Ravenloft: Realm of Terror

***Ravenloft: Realm of Terror*** is a boxed set accessory published in 1990 for the Ravenloft campaign setting for the *Advanced Dungeons & Dragons* fantasy role-playing game.

## Contents

*Ravenloft: Realm of Terror* is a supplement of rules for including Gothic horror in *Dungeons & Dragons*. The supplement describes each of the 34 domains, or "countries", of *Ravenloft*, now expanded from the 1st Edition which only featured the castle of the vampire Strahd von Zarovich in Barovia. The domains, described in varying degrees of detail, are each "ruled by an incredibly evil individual". The module outlines the six reward levels a player can receive from pursuing evil deeds from a hit point boost to rule of a small land. The product comprises the following aspects:

> Fear and horror checks (a la *Call of Cthulhu*), the altered effects of spells and magic items, new monsters, exciting information about gypsies and fortune-telling in RPGs, and information about the individual domains and their rulers.

## Publication history

*Ravenloft: Realm of Terror* was written by Bruce Nesmith and Andria Hayday, with a cover by Clyde Caldwell, and was published by TSR in 1990 as a boxed set with a 144-page book, four large color maps, 24 cardstock sheets, and a transparent map overlay.

The supplement was previewed in *Dragon* #160 and *Dragon* #162. Published in June 1990, *Ravenloft: Realm of Terror* was the first boxed set for the *Ravenloft* campaign setting and the fifth major world for *Dungeons & Dragons*. It was created by Bruce Nesmith with Andria Hayday. The supplement contained *Dungeons & Dragons* first fear and horror check rules; "this sort of 'psychological saving throw' originated with *Call of Cthulhu*'s sanity checks and soon become *de rigeur \[*sic*\]* for the horror genre". It also contained variant monster rules, new rules for curses and fortune-telling, and outlined consequences for characters slipping into the evil alignment. The supplement introduced the Demiplane of Dread, outlined the different domains within it including Barovia and Mordent, and added the quirk that the demiplane acts as a changeable living realm. Similar to *Spelljammer*, the supplement also contained "a way to crossover all the existing TSR settings. Gates from the Forgotten Realms, Greyhawk, Krynn, and the *Oriental Adventures* realm of Kara-Tur are all detailed in this book, while some of the domain lords are also crossovers from those settings".

Shannon Appelcline, author of *Designers & Dragons*, highlighted that *Ravenloft: Realm of Terror* focused on Gothic horror unlike other RPG horror competitors which focused on cosmic horror or modern horror. Appelcline wrote that "a year after the release of *Ravenloft*, White Wolf's *Vampire: The Masquerade* (1991) appeared. \[...\] Its popularity caused TSR management to request that Ravenloft move 'toward a darker, more psychologically sinister outlook'. The *Ravenloft* designers refused and the success of *that* decision would soon become obvious. The *Ravenloft* line ran for a decade and a half through three major editions".

## Reception

Stewart Wieck reviewed the product in a 1990 issue of *White Wolf*. He rated the game overall at a 4 out of 5 points, just missing a perfect score—primarily due to an excessive number of domains. He stated a positive as the "advice that the authors give on running a true gothic horror campaign or adventure".

In 1991, it won the Origins Award for *Best Graphic Presentation of a Roleplaying Game, Adventure, or Supplement of 1990*.

Lawrence Schick, in his 1991 book *Heroic Worlds*, describes the set's fold-up castles as "scary".

In 2013, Alex Lucard, for *Diehard GameFAN*, wrote that he felt *Ravenloft: Realm of Terror* was "far more accessible than *Domains of Dread*, which was the hardcover re-launch of the campaign setting post the Grand Conjunction. *Domains of Dread* requires you to know what happened in the Dark Domain before the Grand Conjunction \[...\]. *Realm of Terror* is simply easier for gamers of all levels to appreciate, more accessible by far and, well, it features better art in my opinion. \[...\] *Realm of Terror* gave you everything you needed to delve into the *Ravenloft* campaign setting. You had a 144 page softcover book which gave you in-depth information about the Dark Domain, all of its locations and various Darklords, and it was simply a wonderfully fresh take on 2e D&D. \[...\] Words cannot express how much I would love to see this thing be made electronically".

## Reviews

## InfoBox

Ravenloft: Realm of Terror
|  | |
| --- | --- |
| Author | Bruce Nesmith and Andria Hayday |
| Genre | Role-playing game |
| Publisher | TSR |
| Publication date | 1990 |
| Media type | Boxed set |


title: Rana Chowdhary

abstract: Rana Chowdhary is an Indian cricketer. He is a left-handed batsman and a left-arm medium pace bowler who currently plays for Bengal. He was born in Kulti. Chowdary made his List A debut in the 2000/01 Ranji Trophy competition for Bihar. He took one wicket on his debut, though he was unable to make inroads with the bat, scoring just six runs in two innings. Chowdhary spent more than six years out of the game, before joining Bengal in time for the start of the Inter State Twenty20 tournament competition of 2006/07. He appeared in all eight of Bengal's games in the competition, which they exited at the second stage, winning two of their four second-stage group games. Chowdhary made his first-class debut for Bengal at the back end of 2007, playing two Ranji Trophy games, the second of which saw him score a duck in the first innings, and just a single run in the second.

text:
# Rana Chowdhary

**Rana Chowdhary** (born 12 April 1978) is an Indian cricketer. He is a left-handed batsman and a left-arm medium pace bowler who currently plays for Bengal. He was born in Kulti.

Chowdary made his List A debut in the 2000/01 Ranji Trophy competition for Bihar. He took one wicket on his debut, though he was unable to make inroads with the bat, scoring just six runs in two innings.

Chowdhary spent more than six years out of the game, before joining Bengal in time for the start of the Inter State Twenty20 tournament competition of 2006/07. He appeared in all eight of Bengal's games in the competition, which they exited at the second stage, winning two of their four second-stage group games.

Chowdhary made his first-class debut for Bengal at the back end of 2007, playing two Ranji Trophy games, the second of which saw him score a duck in the first innings, and just a single run in the second.


title: Methles

abstract:
Methles is a genus of beetles in the family Dytiscidae, containing the following species:
  - Methles caucasicus Riha, 1974
  - Methles cribratellus
  - Methles freyi Guignot, 1953
  - Methles indicus Régimbart, 1899
  - Methles laevis Zimmermann, 1933
  - Methles punctatissimus Gschwendtner, 1943
  - Methles rectus Sharp, 1882
  - Methles spinosus Sharp, 1882

text:
# Methles

***Methles*** is a genus of beetles in the family Dytiscidae, containing the following species:

## InfoBox

| *Methles* | |
| --- | --- |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Suborder: | Adephaga |
| Family: | Dytiscidae |
| Genus: | ***Methles***<br>Sharp, 1882 |
|


abstract: The Niyogi Committee Report On Christian Missionary Activities is a report published by the Government of Madhya Pradesh in 1956. It is divided into two volumes and three parts. It is a report on controversial missionary activities in India and was compiled and completed in 1954 and published only in 1956. The committee which was chaired by M. Bhawani Shankar Niyogi, a retired Chief Justice of the Nagpur High Court included five other members viz. M.B.Pathak, Ghanshyam Singh Gupta, S.K.George, Ratanlal Malviya and Bhanu Pratap Singh. The report, set up by a Congress Party government, recommended the "legal prohibition" of religious conversion not "completely voluntary", which was not implemented as it would have been "difficult to formulate and indeed to apply without violating the precepts of religious liberty enshrined in the Indian Constitution".

text:
# Niyogi Committee Report on Christian Missionary Activities

***The Niyogi Committee Report On Christian Missionary Activities*** is a report published by the Government of Madhya Pradesh in 1956. It is divided into two volumes and three parts. It is a report on controversial missionary activities in India and was compiled and completed in 1954 and published only in 1956. The committee which was chaired by M. Bhawani Shankar Niyogi, a retired Chief Justice of the Nagpur High Court included five other members viz. M.B.Pathak, Ghanshyam Singh Gupta, S.K.George, Ratanlal Malviya and Bhanu Pratap Singh.

The report, set up by a Congress Party government, recommended the "legal prohibition" of religious conversion not "completely voluntary", which was not implemented as it would have been "difficult to formulate and indeed to apply without violating the precepts of religious liberty enshrined in the Indian Constitution".

## The Niyogi Committee Report

The committee contacted 11,360 persons, interviewed people from 700 different villages and received 375 written statements and 385 replies from a questionnaire. They visited hospitals, schools, churches and other institutions in 14 districts. It toured several areas and talked to witnesses who were "mostly prejudiced". The questionnaire had 99 questions, and was described by the High Court thus:

> a long and searching document.. in many places it amounts to an accusation. Some of the questions border on an inquisition, and may well be equated to a "fishing expedition" on the supposition that something discreditable can be discovered.

The committee recorded that "there was a general complaint from the non-Christian side that the schools and hospitals were being used as means of securing converts." It said that "Reference was also made to the practice of the Roman Catholic priests or preachers visiting newborn babies to give ‘ashish’ (blessings) in the name of Jesus, taking sides in litigation or domestic quarrels, kidnapping of minor children and abduction of women and recruitment of labour for plantations in Assam or Andaman as a means of propagating the Christian faith among the ignorant and illiterate people." (Goel 1998, p.13)

The report writes that especially Roman Catholic missions used money-lending as a device for proselytisation. They gave loans which were later written off if the debtor became a Christian. (Goel 1998, p.115)

## Controversy

The Committee was set up in response to the Bharatiya Jana Sangh's protest movement, "The Anti-Foreign Missionary Week"; the movement was suspended once the committee was formed.

The Roman Catholic Church withdrew its co-operation with the committee, and filed a petition against the committee at the High Court in 1955. The High Court dismissed the Petition in April 1956.

The report stirred controversy in India. It was criticized by theologians, Christians and politicians. The recommendations of the report influenced Bills passed by the State Governments against forcible conversions.

## The recommendations of the report

The committee gave the following recommendations:

* (1) those missionaries whose primary object is proselytisation should be asked to withdraw and the large influx of foreign missionaries should be checked;
* (2) the use of medical and other professional services as a direct means of making conversions should be prohibited by law;
* (3) attempts to convert by force or fraud or material inducements, or by taking advantage of a person's inexperience or confidence or spiritual weakness or thoughtlessness, or by penetrating into the religious conscience of persons for the purpose of consciously altering their faith, should be absolutely prohibited;
* (4) the Constitution of India should be amended in order to rule out propagation by foreigners and conversions by force, fraud and other illicit means;
* (5) legislative measures should be enacted for controlling conversion by illegal means;
* (6) rules relating to registration of doctors, nurses and other personnel employed in hospitals should be suitably amended to provide a condition against evangelistic activities during professional service; and
* (7) circulation of literature meant for religious propaganda without approval of the State Government should be prohibited. (Goel 1998, 163–164)

* \[Vindicated by Time: The Niyogi Committee Report\](edited by Sita Ram Goel, 1998), a reprint of the official report on the missionaries' methods of subversion and conversion (1955)
* Report of the Christian Missionaries Enquiry Committee Madhya Pradesh, Nagpur, 1956

## Further reading

* Felix Alfred Planner, The Catholic Church in India: Yesterday and Today, Allahabad, 1964,
* Dr. Sebastian Kim. In Search of Identity.
* Sebastian Kim. The debate on conversion initiated by the Sangh Parivar, 1998–1999.
* The National Christian Council Review, October 1956

## InfoBox

Report On Christian Missionary Activities
| Author | Niyogi Committee |
| --- | --- |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Report |
| Genre | Non-fiction |
| Publisher | Sonya |
| Publication date | 1956,1958,1963,1968,1998 compiled and completed in 1954 |
| Publication place | India |


abstract: Estonia competed at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics, in Buenos Aires, Argentina from 6 October to 18 October 2018. A total of 23 competitors competed for Estonia, the highest number of athletes Estonia had so far sent to the Youth Olympic Games. All competitors qualified without needing an invitation. Estonia made its debut in four sports: archery, gymnastics, karate and wrestling.

text:
# Estonia at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics

**Estonia** competed at the **2018 Summer Youth Olympics**, in Buenos Aires, Argentina from 6 October to 18 October 2018.

A total of 23 competitors competed for Estonia, the highest number of athletes Estonia had so far sent to the Youth Olympic Games. All competitors qualified without needing an invitation. Estonia made its debut in four sports: archery, gymnastics, karate (new sport) and wrestling.

## Medalists

Medals awarded to participants of mixed-NOC teams are represented in *italics*. These medals are not counted towards the individual NOC medal tally.

| Medal | Name | Sport | Event | Date |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| *Silver* | *Adelina Beljajeva* | *Gymnastics* | *Mixed multi-discipline team* | *10 October* |
| Bronze | Greta Jaanson | Rowing | Girls' single sculls | 10 October |

## Competitors

The following is the list of number of competitors that participated at the Games per sport.

| Sport | Boys | Girls | Total |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Archery | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Athletics | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Basketball | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| Gymnastics | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Karate | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Rowing | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Swimming | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Wrestling | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 9 | 14 | 23 |

## Archery

Estonia qualified one athlete for the boys event based on its performance at the 2017 World Archery Youth Championships.

Individual

| Athlete | Event | Ranking round | | Round of 32 | Round of 16 | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Final / BM | Rank |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | | Score | Seed | Opposition
Score | Opposition
Score | Opposition
Score | Opposition
Score | Opposition
Score | |
| Hendrik Õun | Boys' individual | 671 | 10th | Shabani (IRI)
**L** **2**–6 | Did not advance | | | | 17th |

Team

| Athletes | Event | Ranking round | | Round of 32 | Round of 16 | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Final / BM | Rank |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | | Score | Seed | Opposition
Score | Opposition
Score | Opposition
Score | Opposition
Score | Opposition
Score | |
| Nicole Marie Tagle (PHI)
Hendrik Õun (EST) | Mixed team | 1300 | 13th | Bassi (CHI)
Dalpatadu (SRI)
**W** **5**–4 | Tromans-Ansell (GBR)
Shabani (IRI)
**W** **5**–3 | Jones (NZL)
Tang (TPE)
**L** **1**–5 | Did not advance | | 6th |

## Athletics

Estonia qualified six athletes based on their performance at the 2018 European Athletics U18 Championships.

Boys Track & road events

| Athlete | Event | Stage 1 | | Stage 2 | | Total | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | | Time | Rank | Time | Rank | Total | Rank |
| Ken-Mark Minkovski | 200 m | 21.69 | 7th | 21.70 | 18th | 43.39 | 14th |

Field events

| Athlete | Event | Stage 1 | | Stage 2 | | Total | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | | Result | Rank | Result | Rank | Total | Rank |
| Eerik Haamer | Pole vault | 5.15 NYR | 2nd | 5.12 | 4th | 10.27 | 4th |

Girls Track & road events

| Athlete | Event | Stage 1 | | Stage 2 | | Total | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | | Time | Rank | Time | Rank | Total | Rank |
| Ann Marii Kivikas | 200 m | 25.43 | 15th | 24.53 | 13th | 49.96 | 15th |

Field Events

| Athlete | Event | Stage 1 | | Stage 2 | | Total | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | | Result | Rank | Result | Rank | Total | Rank |
| Gedly Tugi | Javelin throw | 52.65 | 6th | 52.60 | 7th | 105.25 | 6th |
| Annika Emily Kelly | Hammer throw | 63.41 NYR | 9th | 60.07 | 7th | 123.48 | 7th |
| Marleen Mülla | Pole vault | 3.85 | 3rd | 3.82 | 4th | 7.67 | 4th |

## Basketball

Estonia qualified both boys and girls team based on the FIBA U18 3x3 National Federation Ranking.

Boys' tournament

| Event | Group stage | | | | | Quarterfinal | Semifinal | Final / BM | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | Opposition
Score | Opposition
Score | Opposition
Score | Opposition
Score | Rank | Opposition
Score | Opposition
Score | Opposition
Score | Rank |
| Boys' tournament | Mongolia
**W** 22–13 | Argentina
L 19–22 | United States
**W** 21–14 | Russia
L 21–22 | 3rd | Did not advance | | | 9th |

Girls' tournament

| Event | Group stage | | | | | Quarterfinal | Semifinal | Final / BM | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | Opposition
Score | Opposition
Score | Opposition
Score | Opposition
Score | Rank | Opposition
Score | Opposition
Score | Opposition
Score | Rank |
| Girls' tournament | Netherlands
L 12–22 | Spain
L 11–21 | Czech Republic
**W** 17–15 | Australia
L 15–19 | 4th | Did not advance | | | 14th |

Girls' shoot-out contest

| Athlete | Event | Qualification | | Final | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | | Points | Rank | Points | Rank |
| Janne Pulk | Shoot-out contest | 4 | 13th | Did not advance | |
| Johanna Eliise Teder | | 2 | 31st | Did not advance | |

## Gymnastics

### Rhythmic gymnastics

Estonia qualified one rhythmic gymnast based on its performance at the European Qualification Event.

Girls

| Athlete | Event | Qualification | | | | | | Final | | | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | | Hoop | Ball | Clubs | Ribbon | Total | Rank | Hoop | Ball | Clubs | Ribbon | Total | Rank |
| Adelina Beljajeva | Individual | 14.050 | 14.250 | 13.975 | 12.000 | 54.275 | 18th | Did not advance | | | | | |

### Mixed multidiscipline team

| Team | Athlete | Acrobatic | Artistic | Rhythmic | Trampoline | Total
points | Rank |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Team Max Whitlock** | Madalena Cavilhas (POR)
Manuel Candeias (POR) | 20 |  | | | 349 |  |
| | Fernando Espíndola (ARG) |  | 43 |  | | | |
| | | Takeru Kitazono (JPN) | | 17 || |
| | | Pablo Calvache (ECU) | | 59 || |
| | | Camila Montoya (CRC) | | 69 || |
| | | Ksenia Klimenko (RUS) | | 11 || |
| | | Zeina Ibrahim (EGY) | | 15 || |
| | Rayna Khai Ling Hoh (MAS) |  | | 18 |  | | |
| | | Roza Abitova (KAZ) | 26 | || |
| | | Adelina Beljajeva (EST) | 47 | || |
| | Robert Vilarasau (ESP) |  | | | 11 | | |
| | | Jessica Clarke (GBR) | 13 || |

## Karate

Estonia qualified one athlete based on the rankings in the Buenos Aires 2018 Olympic Standings.

| Athlete | Event | Group phase | | | | Semifinal | Final / BM | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | | Opposition
Score | Opposition
Score | Opposition
Score | Rank | Opposition
Score | Opposition
Score | Rank |
| Marta Ossipova | Girls' 59 kg | Sakaji (JPN)
L 0–2 | Perovic (SRB)
L 0–2 | Barnyi (HUN)
L 0–2 | 4th | Did not advance | | 7th |

## Rowing

Estonia qualified one rower based on its performance at the 2018 European Rowing Junior Championships.

| Athlete | Event | Heats | | | | | Quarterfinals | | Semifinals | | Final | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | | Round 2 | | Round 3 | | Points | || |
| | | Time | Rank | | Time | Rank | Time | Rank | Time | Rank | Time | Rank |
| Greta Jaanson | Girls' single sculls | 1:56.88 | 3rd | 1:53.34 | 1st | 9 **Q** | 1:46.83 | 1st **Q** | 1:46.13 | 2nd **Q** | 1:46.13 |  |

## Swimming

Estonia qualified four athletes.

Boys

| Athlete | Event | Heat | | Semifinal | | Final | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | | Time | Rank | Time | Rank | Time | Rank |
| Alex Ahtiainen | 50 m butterfly | 25.66 | 36th | Did not advance | | | |
| | 100 m butterfly | 55.05 | 23rd | Did not advance | | | |
| Ivan Štšeglov | 100 m backstroke | 57.57 | 18th R | Did not advance | | | |
| | 200 m backstroke | 2:01.69 NR | 6th **Q** |  | | 2:02.63 | 8th |

Girls

| Athlete | Event | Heat | | Semifinal | | Final | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | | Time | Rank | Time | Rank | Time | Rank |
| Aleksa Gold | 100 m freestyle | 57.42 | 27th | Did not advance | | | |
| | 200 m freestyle | 2:04.27 | 20th |  | | Did not advance | |
| | 200 m backstroke | 2:17.14 | 14th |  | | Did not advance | |
| Margaret Markvardt | 50 m backstroke | 30.14 | 22nd | Did not advance | | | |
| | 200 m medley | 2:22.89 | 27th |  | | Did not advance | |

## Wrestling

Estonia qualified one athlete based on its performance at the 2018 European Cadet Championships.

**Key**:

* VT – Victory by Fall.
* PP – Decision by Points – the loser with technical points.
* PO – Decision by Points – the loser without technical points.
Girls

| Athlete | Event | Group stage | | | | | Final / RM | Rank |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | | Opposition
Score | Opposition
Score | Opposition
Score | Opposition
Score | Rank | Opposition
Score | |
| Viktoria Vesso | Freestyle −65kg | Sghaier (TUN)
**W** 5–0 VT | Balogun (NGR)
L 0–3 PO | Nabaina (CMR)
**W** 5–0 VT | Sghaier (UKR)
L 1–3 PP | 3rd | Capezan (ROU)
**W** 5–0 VT | 5th |

## InfoBox

| Estonia at the
2018 Summer Youth Olympics | |
| --- | --- |
|  | |
| IOC code | EST |
| NOC | Estonian Olympic Committee |
| Website | www.eok.ee |
| in Buenos Aires | |
| Competitors | 23 in 8 sports |
| Flag bearer (opening) | Eerik Haamer |
| Flag bearer (closing) | Greta Jaanson |
| Medals
Ranked 83rd | Gold 0 Silver 0 Bronze 1 Total 1 |
| Summer Youth Olympics appearances (overview) | |
|  | |


title: Ravenloft: Strahd's Possession

abstract: Ravenloft: Strahd's Possession is a 1994 fantasy role-playing video game developed by DreamForge Intertainment for Strategic Simulations for DOS. Ravenloft: Stone Prophet is a sequel to this game.

text:
# Ravenloft: Strahd's Possession

***Ravenloft: Strahd's Possession*** is a 1994 fantasy role-playing video game developed by DreamForge Intertainment for Strategic Simulations for DOS. *Ravenloft: Stone Prophet* is a sequel to this game.

## Plot

The game is based on the Ravenloft campaign setting for the *Dungeons & Dragons* fantasy role-playing game. The game is set in the domain of Barovia.

The player characters are servants of the Lord Dhelt, leader of the land of Elturel. After an assassin assaults the Lord and steals his Holy Symbol of Helm, the PCs are sent in pursuit of the thief. Instead of catching the criminals, however, they somehow manage to transport the entire party to the mist-shrouded land of Barovia, ruled over by the vampire Count, Strahd von Zarovich.

As Barovia is surrounded by an impenetrable poison mist, the PCs have no choice but to explore the dark land of Barovia, which is crawling with undead and many more nasty things. Strahd, himself, seems interested in the characters' quest for the stolen amulet and invites the party to his castle. The characters' quest is to survive this hostile land long enough to unravel the mystery of the stolen amulet and somehow arrange safe passage out of Barovia.

## Gameplay

The game used 3D computer graphics and used a game engine identical to the later SSI title *Menzoberranzan*. Generally, the keyboard or mouse-driven directional arrows were used to move around or change perspective. As an early 3D game engine, it moved slowly and could appear cumbersome. However, there was an omnipresent map in the top corner which helped gamers from becoming too disoriented by the slow and cluttered progress of the game.

The fighting system involved using the mouse to pinpoint enemies and click to attack, at which point party members would take turns attacking. This unique combat system presented some logistical problems for gamers, and seemed to involve quite a learning curve.

A review in *Game Bytes* Magazine said: "Characters with weapons in hand will use them one by one \[...\] However, since the characters have a go one at a time from left to right, and they take a varying amount of time to ready their weapon again after using it, depending on their dexterity, one often finds that characters who are ready to use their weapons cannot do so because the computer is waiting for the character whose turn it is to ready and use his weapons before going to the next one. Hence, one may be anxiously clicking away but no one is using their weapons".

## Sound

Voice acting was used in some versions of the game and the Eastern European accent of the central characters did much to improve its believability. The acting was generally well received, but in the case of Strahd, *Game Bytes* magazine wrote that "the attempt to make him sound suave yet menacing (which is as it should be) didn't quite come off".

The music of *Strahd's Possession* was highly atmospheric and was critically acknowledged as a vast improvement of SSI's previous offerings. *Game Bytes* magazine said that "the music superbly brings out the mood and atmosphere, and is reminiscent of those found in gothic horror movies, with the organ being the central instrument".

## Publication history

This game was later included in the 1996 compilation set, the *AD&D Masterpiece Collection*. In October 2015, the game was re-released on GOG.com with support for Microsoft Windows, OS X, and Linux pre-packed with DOSBox, bundled with the sequel.

## Reception

In *PC Gamer US*, T. Liam McDonald wrote that *Strahd's Possession* was "one of SSI's best AD&D-based releases, packed with character, featuring just enough novelty, and being very nicely put together". Barry Brenesal of *Electronic Entertainment* called it "a strong step forward for SSI's epic role-playing fantasies", and found the game to be "cleverly designed, well-plotted, and atmospheric". Kevin Perry of *Computer Game Review* felt that *Strahd's Possession* failed to capture the Ravenloft campaign setting, and he described its interface as an exercise in "despair and frustration". He summarized that "some of \[the game's\] ideas will help usher along the next generation of CRPGs, but it doesn't". Conversely, the magazine's Ted Chapman called it "a decent enough game" and recommended it to fans of the genre. *Computer Gaming World*'s Petra Schlunk approved of the game's "insidiously credible atmosphere". She disliked the real-time magic system, buggy enemy spawning and pathing, and erratic movement speed, and reported frequent crashes, but liked the graphics, sound, dialogue, and character creation system. Schlunk concluded that "aside from a few technical problems and a somewhat cumbersome interface, *Ravenloft* is a solid, thoughtfully designed and enjoyable game", not so long as to discourage a replay to finish it again more efficiently.

*Strahd's Possession* was nominated for *Computer Gaming World*'s Role-Playing Game of the Year award in May 1995. The editors remarked that the game's "subject matter and new 3-D look enhance the solid background universe created by TSR's AD&D team".

According to GameSpy, "*Ravenloft: Strahd's Possession* was a welcome return to form for SSI".

## InfoBox

| Ravenloft: Strahd's Possession | |
| --- | --- |
|  | |
| Developer(s) | DreamForge Intertainment |
| Publisher(s) |  |
| Designer(s) | Thomas J. Holmes
Christopher L. Straka |
| Programmer(s) | Don Wuenschell |
| Composer(s) | Jamie McMenamy |
| Series | *Ravenloft* |
| Platform(s) |  |
| Release | 1994 (DOS)
1995 (FM Towns, PC-98) |
| Genre(s) | Role-playing |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |


title: Ransomite

abstract: Ransomite is a sulfate mineral first discovered at the United Verde mine in Jerome Arizona. This mineral was formed as a result of a mine fire. The United Verde mine is one of few places in the world where Ransomite can be found. This mineral can be described as a soluble sulfate that forms needle-like crystals and has a pale blue color in transmitted light. This mineral was named by Carl B. Lausen as a tribute to Frederick Leslie Ransome. Ransome was an American mining geologist who worked at the California Institute of Technology, the University of Arizona and the United states Geological Survey.

text:
# Ransomite

**Ransomite** is a sulfate mineral first discovered at the United Verde mine in Jerome Arizona. This mineral was formed as a result of a mine fire. The United Verde mine is one of few places in the world where Ransomite can be found. This mineral can be described as a soluble sulfate that forms needle-like crystals and has a pale blue color in transmitted light. This mineral was named by Carl B. Lausen as a tribute to Frederick Leslie Ransome. Ransome was an American mining geologist who worked at the California Institute of Technology, the University of Arizona and the United states Geological Survey.

## Occurrence

Ransomite is found in association with pyrite, voltaite, and romerite. These minerals can be found in Campbell shaft, Arizona. Ransomite tends to form in the cavities of crushed up rock in these different mines. In these cavities, Ransomite forms small radiating crystals and pale-blue crusts.

## Physical properties

Ransomite is a bright sky blue or a pale blue in transmitted light, transparent mineral with a vitreous, pearly luster. It exhibits a hardness of 2.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. Ransomite occurs as needle-like crystals and has radiating tufts and crusts. Ransomite has perfect cleavage along the {010} plane. The specific gravity is 2.632 g/cm3.

## Optical properties

Ransomite is biaxial positive, this means it can refract light on two axes. The refractive indices are: α ~ 1.631, β ~ 1.643, and γ ~ 1.695 (Na). Dispersion is strong, v \> r. Ransomite has a max birefringence of 0.064 and has a moderate surface releif.

## Chemical properties

Ransomite is a sulfate that has a similar formula to the mineral Cuprocopiapite. Cuprocopiapite has a specific gravity of (2.23 g cm−3), which is close to the value of Ransomite.

## Chemical composition

| Oxide | wt% |
| --- | --- |
| SO3 | 46.30 |
| Al3O3 | 1.52 |
| Fe2O3 | 22.57 |
| CuO | 11.29 |
| H2O | 18.82 |
| Total | 100.50 |

## X-ray crystallography

Ransomite is in the monoclinic crystal system. The space group associated with Ransomite is *P21/b* with unit cell dimensions: a = 4.811, b = 16.217Å, c = 10.403Å; β= 93.01°; Z=2. Ransomite has a point group of 2/m and is prismatic. It also has skinny prisms extended parallel to the c axis.

## InfoBox

| Ransomite | |
| --- | --- |
| General | |
| Category | Sulfate |
| Formula
(repeating unit) | CuFe2(SO4)4\*62 |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic |
| Crystal class | 2/m - Prismatic |
| Space group | *P21/b* |
| Unit cell | a = 4.811 , b = 16.217 Å
c = 10.403 Å;
β= 93.01°; Z = 2 |
| Identification | |
| Formula mass | 667.59 |
| Color | Bright sky blue; pale blue in transmitted light |
| Crystal habit | needle-like crystals |
| Cleavage | Perfect along {010} |
| Tenacity | Radiating tufts and crusts |
| Mohs scale hardness | 2.5 |
| Luster | Vitreous, pearly cleavage |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent |
| Density | 2.632 g/cm3 |
| Optical properties | Biaxial positive |
| Refractive index | nα= 1.631 nβ= 1.643 nγ= 1.695 |
| Birefringence | δ = 0.064 |
| Dispersion | v \> r strong |
| References |  |


title: Method (patent)

abstract: In United States patent law, a method, also called "process", is one of the four principal categories of things that may be patented through "utility patents". The other three are a machine, an article of manufacture, and a composition of matter. In that context, a method is a series of steps for performing a function or accomplishing a result. While the terms method and process are largely interchangeable, method usually refers to a way to use a product to accomplish a given result, and process usually refers to a series of steps in manufacture. Thus, one might speak about a method for curing headaches that comprises the administration of a therapeutically effective dose of aspirin, or speak about a process for making soap or candles. Not all methods, in the dictionary sense, are methods for purposes of United States patent law. The case law "forecloses a purely literal reading of § 101." The concept is elaborated in the article: machine-or-transformation test. A method patent claim can be infringed only when a single person or entity practices all of the claimed steps. Neither a physical device, such as a product that can be used to practice the method, nor instructions for practicing the method, are infringing until they are used by a single person to perform all the steps together. A potential exception to this rule for indirect infringement was implicit in the circuit court of appeal's ruling in Akamai Tech. v. Limelight Networks. The U.S. Supreme Court reversed the circuit court's ruling on Monday, June 2, 2014, holding that the circuit court had misread patent law to reach its decision. The court noted that the statute explicitly defines a method patent to cover only the entirety of the method, and doesn't confer any rights in the individual steps that make up the method. The European Patent Convention does not mention method patents so prominently, and the same applies to the TRIPS Agreement. The prime characteristic of process patents in these treaties is that "the protection conferred by the patent shall extend to the products directly obtained by such process". Art. 28(1)(b) TRIPS provides a similar rule. This shows the historical background of process patents in chemistry, where there was a need to protect new processes to manufacture known substances.

text:
# Method (patent)

In United States patent law, a **method**, also called "process", is one of the four principal categories of things that may be patented through "utility patents". The other three are a machine, an article of manufacture (also termed a *manufacture*), and a composition of matter.

In that context, a method is a series of steps for performing a function or accomplishing a result. While the terms *method* and *process* are largely interchangeable, *method* usually refers to a way to use a product to accomplish a given result, and *process* usually refers to a series of steps in manufacture. Thus, one might speak about a method for curing headaches that comprises the administration of a therapeutically effective dose of aspirin, or speak about a process for making soap or candles.

Not all methods, in the dictionary sense, are methods for purposes of United States patent law. The case law "forecloses a purely literal reading of § 101." The concept is elaborated in the article: machine-or-transformation test.

A method patent claim can be infringed only when a single person or entity (including contractually obligated agents) practices all of the claimed steps. Neither a physical device, such as a product that can be used to practice the method, nor instructions for practicing the method, are infringing until they are used by a single person to perform all the steps together. A potential exception to this rule for indirect infringement was implicit in the circuit court of appeal's ruling in Akamai Tech. v. Limelight Networks (Fed. Cir. 2012). The U.S. Supreme Court reversed the circuit court's ruling on Monday, June 2, 2014 (docket number 12-786), holding that the circuit court had misread patent law to reach its decision. The court noted that the statute explicitly defines a method patent to cover only the entirety of the method, and doesn't confer any rights in the individual steps that make up the method.

The European Patent Convention does not mention method patents (called process patents) so prominently, and the same applies to the TRIPS Agreement. The prime characteristic of process patents in these treaties is that "the protection conferred by the patent shall extend to the products directly obtained by such process". Art. 28(1)(b) TRIPS provides a similar rule. This shows the historical background of process patents in chemistry, where there was a need to protect new processes to manufacture known substances.


title: Noel Slater

abstract: Prof Noel Bryan Slater FRAS FRSE (1912–1973) was a 20th-century British mathematician and astronomer.

text:
# Noel Slater

Prof **Noel Bryan Slater** FRAS FRSE (19121973) was a 20th-century British mathematician and astronomer.

## Life

He was born on 29 July 1912 in Blackburn, Lancashire the son of Minnie Jane Bryan, and her husband, Doctor Albert Slater. His father was not a doctor but was christened with the name Doctor. He was generally known as D. Albert Slater. Slated was educated at Blackburn Grammar School. His parents then moved to Scotland where he was educated at North Berwick High School then Fordyce Academy in Banff.

He studied mathematics at the University of Edinburgh, graduating with an MA in 1929. He then won a scholarship to the University of Cambridge where he gained a further MA in astronomy. He continued his studies at the university as a postgraduate gaining a first doctorate (PhD) and second doctorate (DSc) in 1932. He was junior observer at Cambridge Solar Physics Observatory from 1939 to 1946 alongside C. G. Pendse and E. T. Pierce.

In the Second World War he served with the Projectile Development Establishment looking at rocket technology. After the war he joined the University of Leeds as a lecturer in applied mathematics rising to Reader by 1958.

In 1954 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. His proposers were Sir Edmund Taylor Whittaker, William Marshall Smart, Edward Thomas Copson, and Harold Stanley Ruse.

In 1961 he accepted a post as Professor of Applied Mathematics at the University of Hull.

He died in office in Hull on 31 January 1973.

## Family

He married Jessie Mycock.

## Publications

* *The Development and Meaning of Eddington's Fundamental Theory* (1957)
* *Theory of Unimolecular Reactions* (1960)


title: Orders Is Orders

abstract: Orders Is Orders is a 1933 British comedy film starring Charlotte Greenwood, James Gleason and Cyril Maude about an American film crew who move into a British army barracks to start making a film, much to the commander's horror. Much of the film concerns the interaction between the American crew and the British officers. It is based upon the 1932 play Orders Are Orders by Ian Hay and Anthony Armstrong. It was shot at the Lime Grove Studios in London with sets designed by the art director Alfred Junge. It was remade in 1954 as Orders Are Orders starring Peter Sellers, Sid James and Tony Hancock.

text:
# Orders Is Orders

***Orders Is Orders*** is a 1933 British comedy film starring Charlotte Greenwood, James Gleason and Cyril Maude about an American film crew who move into a British army barracks to start making a film, much to the commander's horror. Much of the film concerns the interaction between the American crew and the British officers. It is based upon the 1932 play *Orders Are Orders* by Ian Hay and Anthony Armstrong. It was shot at the Lime Grove Studios in London with sets designed by the art director Alfred Junge.

It was remade in 1954 as *Orders Are Orders* starring Peter Sellers, Sid James and Tony Hancock.

## Cast

## Critical reception

In *The New York Times*, Mordaunt Hall called the film, "a tepid farce...It is an adaptation of a minor stage work written by Ian Hay and Anthony Armstrong, and the wonder is that the producers, Gaumont-British, thought it worthy of such an excellent company of players. On the credit side of this piece of buffoonery and punning there are the interesting glimpses in a military barracks, splendid photography and sound recording and good-natured work by the cast."

## InfoBox

| Orders Is Orders | |
| --- | --- |
| Directed by | Walter Forde |
| Written by | Leslie Arliss
James Gleason |
| Based on | *Orders Are Orders*
by Ian Hay and Anthony Armstrong |
| Produced by | Michael Balcon |
| Starring | Charlotte Greenwood
James Gleason
Cyril Maude |
| Cinematography | Glen MacWilliams |
| Edited by | Derek Twist |
| Music by | Louis Levy |
| Production
company | Gaumont British Picture Corporation |
| Distributed by | Ideal Films |
| Release date | * 18 July 1933 (1933-07-18) (UK) |
| Running time | 88 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |


title: Glomdalens Arbeiderblad

abstract: Glomdalens Arbeiderblad was a Norwegian newspaper, published in Kongsvinger in Hedmark county. It was named Glommendalen from 1885 to 1915 and Glommendalens Social-Demokrat from 1915 to 1923. It was started as Glommendalen on 1 March 1885, a newspaper for the region Glåmdalen. The first editor was Hans Aasumb, and the political affiliation was Liberal. The newspaper drifted slowly to the left, and it was bought by the Labour Party and the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions in 1914. The seller was Erik Lund, who had bought the newspaper in 1907 and continued as editor-in-chief. The newspaper was also merged with Solungen, whose last issue came in December 1914. From 1 April 1915 the merged newspaper was named Glommendalens Social-Demokrat. On 30 April 1923 the name was changed to Glomdalens Arbeiderblad. Later in 1923 the Communist Party broke away from the Labour Party, and took with them the Glomdalens Arbeiderblad. The newspaper was published on a daily basis. Waldemar Carlsen, the editor-in-chief since 1916, remained in the editor chair until he quit his job in 1925 because he did not receive wages anymore. Arbeiderpressens Samvirke took over the newspaper, and declared bankruptcy in 1926. Then, Arbeiderpressens Samvirke used the newspaper's infrastructure to start and publish a new newspaper Kongsvinger Arbeiderblad, renamed Glåmdalen in 1943. Glomdalens Arbeiderblad continued with a Communist editor, but was now printed in Hamar. The newspaper went defunct after its last issue on 1 April 1927.

text:
# Glomdalens Arbeiderblad

***Glomdalens Arbeiderblad*** was a Norwegian newspaper, published in Kongsvinger in Hedmark county. It was named *Glommendalen* from 1885 to 1915 and *Glommendalens Social-Demokrat* from 1915 to 1923.

It was started as *Glommendalen* on 1 March 1885, a newspaper for the region Glåmdalen. The first editor was Hans Aasumb, and the political affiliation was Liberal. The newspaper drifted slowly to the left, and it was bought by the Labour Party and the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions in 1914. The seller was Erik Lund, who had bought the newspaper in 1907 and continued as editor-in-chief. The newspaper was also merged with *Solungen*, whose last issue came in December 1914. From 1 April 1915 the merged newspaper was named *Glommendalens Social-Demokrat*.

On 30 April 1923 the name was changed to *Glomdalens Arbeiderblad*. Later in 1923 the Communist Party broke away from the Labour Party, and took with them the *Glomdalens Arbeiderblad*. The newspaper was published on a daily basis. Waldemar Carlsen, the editor-in-chief since 1916, remained in the editor chair until he quit his job in 1925 because he did not receive wages anymore. Arbeiderpressens Samvirke took over the newspaper, and declared bankruptcy in 1926. Then, Arbeiderpressens Samvirke used the newspaper's infrastructure to start and publish a new newspaper *Kongsvinger Arbeiderblad*, renamed *Glåmdalen* in 1943. *Glomdalens Arbeiderblad* continued with a Communist editor, but was now printed in Hamar. The newspaper went defunct after its last issue on 1 April 1927.