Muz Ashen assumed the role of Grand Master five years ago to the day. Since that time he has shaped the Dark Brotherhood and its systems in nearly every imaginable way. His persistent vision redefined the way we operated and created an organization that boasts one of the most complex online experiences on the internet. The systems that we take for granted; Robes, weapons, character sheets, combat arenas, credits, prestige, possessions, and countless others, have all been guided to completion by Muz's expert management.

Awarding any Grand Master is a difficult task, but Grand Master Ashen provides a unique challenge due to the longevity of his reign. He has received every award, every accolade, and yet he continues to produce ideas and products that enhance the entire Dark Jedi Brotherhood. After careful deliberation, multiple Dark Councilors determined that the Diamond Sword was the perfect award to celebrate Muz's fifth year as Grand Master. The Diamond Sword is awarded for members who strive to improve our organization as a whole and have done so with persistent longevity. In the history of our club, no one has deserved this award more than Muz Ashen. He is the personification of dedication, longevity, and dedication to improve the Dark Jedi Brotherhood.

I'm honored to write this recommendation and count myself among Muz's Dark Councilors. Congratulations old friend.

Grand Master Pravus, Voice of the Dark Brotherhood

Muz has always been someone I look up to. His dossier pin maybe higher than mine, but he’s always been the guy doing ALL THE THINGS. His drive, passion and skill has and will always floored me. Hell, Muz has been the Grand Master for half the time I have been a member of the Brotherhood.

What makes Muz special isn’t just his own work, but also his ability to rip the best out of people. It’s truly the case that if it weren’t for Muz I’d likely not have the drive to do what I do for the Brotherhood and I know I’m not the only case of this.

Muz is an exemplary leader, a shining example that everyone should try to live up to, and I for one would love to see him still on the iron throne in another 5 years (regardless of his protests…)

Congrats Muz, this is well earned, I only wish there was something more we could have got you.

Consular Cleric Solari, Head Master of the Dark Brotherhood

What do you give somebody who has nothing left to prove? Muz Ashen has been leading this club for five years now - over a quarter of the club's age - which is an almost unbelievable feat. I will leave it to my fellow councillors to elaborate on the plethora of contributions made by Muz that make the Brotherhood a better place. I will let the quantity and volume of these recommendations speak for itself, and only add that I wholeheartedly agree this Diamond Sword is very well deserved. Congratulations!

Dark Jedi Master James Lucius Entar Arconae, Seneschal of the Dark Brotherhood

Muz has watched over the Club from the Iron Throne (or while standing next to it) for over five years now. From the dates I've heard tossed around, that's nearly a quarter of its existence (if not more).

Despite this marathon run as Grand Master Muz continues to surprise members with new Events and ideas. In the past year we saw the Dark Crusade kick off, a brand new type of Event that challenged members and Units to prove their stamina over the course of 10 months. While the "main effort" of this offensive has slowed the fight continues on, with a storyline leading out Club into the next Great Jedi War.

Just before and in the midst of the Crusade Muz had to bring on board six new Dark Councilors. Some grizzled veterans of the Dark Council, others new faces to it. As these personnel changes occurred there Muz not only had to take on his "standard" tasks, if there is such a thing for a GM, he also had to mentor new individuals on how to step into their jobs (yes, I count as one of them). Through all of this he continues to find time to dedicate towards the Graphics work he continues to do for the club, out of pure enjoyment (or he's sadistic - probably this).

I've only scratched the surface of what Muz has been involved in. Nearly every project which has come forward in the past year has been influenced in some way by his valuable feedback. While this isn't the time to talk about projects to come, he's got no shortage of those planned either.

The Diamond Sword is awarded to a member who shows an "impressive array of talents and qualities over a considerable length of time". Even a cursory glance at the work Muz has done in his time as Grand Master shows he meets and exceeds this criteria. Thank you for your continued dedication to the Club Muz, and congratulations!

Sith Battlelord Valhavoc, Fist of the Dark Brotherhood

I would like to give Muz the Diamond Sword for his tireless devotion to the club. Muz is one of the few members we have for whom the work is truly the reward.

For over a year now I have watched the Grand Master constantly turn the lathe of improvement for the club. Be it his conceptualizing and organizing The Dark Crusade, his ground-breaking work on the Possessions system, or his ceaseless stream of custom art for the our members, Muz is always at work on something. But these projects are just one facet of what a Grand Master has to contend with.

Muz handles everything from evaluating leaders to analyzing statistics to arbitrating disputes. While working on the aforementioned projects. While doing all the above he also fields a littany of complaints that are without end and often, unfortunately, malicious in nature. While doing that Muz has had to replace nearly the entire Dark Council over the last year due to real life circumstances and personality issues.

While doing that he ran an unprecedented Vendetta lasting the better part of a year. A first of its kind, The Dark Crusade saw both skill and participation rewarded under a system Muz suggested as well as tactical and strategic planning required on the part of unit leaders. The scoring load of TDC was enormous and strained us all. But despite all Muz's other duties and responsibilities, he dug in with us every chapter and phase and completed more than his fair share of the scoring.

While building, running, amd scoring the Crusade, Muz was also overseeing the Antei Combat Center revamp. Being something of an ACC expert, Muz's input and help along the way was invaluable to getting a favorite activity back into action.

During this time our yearly Internal Reviews came due and Muz took point there as well responding to each unit with feedback and encouragement.

He has reviewed multiple proposals, overseen the new Lightsaber and Hand-to-Hand guide development, counseled troubled members, and written a plethora of award recommendations ensuring those under him are being taken care of.

Additionally, Muz worked hard recently to cover during my extended work absence by finishing the Crusade scoring and reporting. That was my responsibility, but I knew I could count on Muz to make it happen when I couldn't.

So for that and everything else Muz does, I would like to thank him with this token of my appreciation.

Raken, Deputy Grand Master of the Dark Brotherhood

Raken, 2014-02-22 01:42:35 UTC