diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ccef62f0f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,98 @@
+The Narya library
+=================
+
+Narya provides a framework for building realtime distributed systems with an
+emphasis on multiplayer online games (massive or otherwise). Its various
+packages include:
+
+* [presents]: A distributed object and remote procedure call framework for
+  creating realtime distributed systems.
+* [crowd]: A foundation for a multiplayer environment with notions of bodies
+  and places, and support for chat and moving between places.
+* admin: Useful administrative functionality including a mechanism for
+  declaring configuration that can be viewed and modified at runtime by an
+  administrative client.
+* bureau: A framework for managing a network of code execution servers, which
+  can be used to host ActionScript server-side code in addition to the Java
+  server normally used by presents.
+
+Tutorials, etc.
+---------------
+
+Three Rings hosts a site called [Game Gardens](http://www.gamegardens.com/)
+where the Narya library is used to develop a wide array of multi-player online
+games. On that site you can find [tutorials and sample
+code](http://wiki.gamegardens.com/) relating to the use of Narya in game
+development.
+
+Building
+--------
+
+The library is built using [Ant](http://ant.apache.org/).
+
+Invoke ant with any of the following targets:
+
+    all: builds the distribution files and javadoc documentation
+    compile: builds only the class files (dist/classes)
+    javadoc: builds only the javadoc documentation (dist/docs)
+    dist: builds the distribution jar files (dist/*.jar)
+
+If you wish to build the ActionScript components, you will need to supply the
+location of the Flex SDK on the command line:
+
+    % ant -Dflexsdk.dir=SOMEPATH dist
+
+Artifacts
+---------
+
+A Maven repository containing released versions of the Narya Java and
+ActionScript artifacts are maintained here. To add a Narya dependency to a
+Maven project, add the following to your `pom.xml`:
+
+    <repositories>
+      <repository>
+        <id>narya-repo</id>
+        <url>http://threerings.github.com/narya/maven</url>
+      </repository>
+    </repositories>
+    <dependencies>
+      <dependency>
+        <groupId>com.threerings</groupId>
+        <artifactId>narya</artifactId>
+        <version>1.8</version>
+      </dependency>
+    </dependencies>
+
+To add it to an Ivy, SBT, or other Maven repository using project, simply
+remove the vast majority of the boilerplate above.
+
+If you prefer to download pre-built binaries, those can be had here:
+
+* [narya-1.8.jar](http://threerings.github.com/narya/maven/com/threerings/narya/1.8/narya-1.8.jar)
+* [naryalib-1.8.swc](http://threerings.github.com/narya/maven/com/threerings/naryalib/1.8/naryalib-1.8.swc)
+
+Related Libraries
+-----------------
+
+Narya is extended by the [Nenya](http://github.com/threerings/nenya) and
+[Vilya](http://github.com/threerings/vilya) libraries which provide additional
+game related functionality like 2D and 3D graphics support, animated character
+rendering and a more sophisticated virtual world framework.
+
+Distribution
+------------
+
+Narya is released under the LGPL. The most recent version of the library is
+available at http://github.com/threerings/narya.
+
+Contact
+-------
+
+Questions, comments, and other worldly endeavors can be handled via the [Three
+Rings Libraries](http://groups.google.com/group/ooo-libs) Google Group.
+
+Narya is actively developed by the scurvy dogs at
+[Three Rings](http://www.threerings.net) Contributions are welcome.
+
+[presents](http://threerings.github.com/narya/apidocs/com/threerings/presents/package-summary.html]
+[crowd](http://threerings.github.com/narya/apidocs/com/threerings/crowd/package-summary.html]