As of late, the vacant position of Rollmaster proved troublesome for Clan Odan-Urr. On discussing the applicants to fill the void former Rollmaster Daniel Stephens left behind after his own success, we were left with two options: choose a new Rollmaster or close the position in the interim. Were we to choose the latter, it would have been a grave error.

In the minutes of his assignment to the now-filled role, Xantros drafted the best greeting method I have ever seen in the Brotherhood. Rather than the usual monster-length greeting email with a sensory overload of information and links, Xantros decided to extend the information into four different emails, as to not scare newcomers at the gates. Initial thoughts from most of our summit were skeptical—how can someone maintain this method of greeting new members, all the while tracking their progress for recommendations?

We were all mistaken. Not once has Xantros failed to deliver on his seemingly unrealistic clockwork schedule for the four greeting emails. Moreover, he has gone above all of this in his meticulous planning of how we handle masters and students. He’s presented this in a clean website that gives all of the relevant information we need, soon to be included on the wiki. It gives the most basic background on the outlined program that we need, along with thirteen clear-cut rules. Moreover, he also keeps track of available masters, filling the last page of this utilitarian website with names and a small writeup of all the available masters that give information relevant to a potential student. Understandably, I was skeptical of having a separate website, but Xantros again proved me wrong in this regard.

He’s sent regular check-ins with members from the get-go. He’s forwarded us all of his communications with our Journeymen and Novitates. He’s also given some of the clearest answers I have ever seen to curious members taking their first steps in the Brotherhood. Were someone to ask me what the ideal Rollmaster looks like, and the reason this position is so important, I would direct them to Xantros.

Going into the role, Xantros knew just what new members would look for—the clearest, most streamlined introduction to the Brotherhood. No matter the Clan, none have simplified the new member experience to the scale that Xantros created. Without doubt, the scope of his adjustments in such a short timeframe is comparable to months’ worth of labour in streamlining the new member experience. Moreover, this streamlining is something that the Shadow Academy has sought to accomplish since rumor of the Grind Path started.

This is a man who has received two Grand Crosses and an Anetian Cross for service alone in Clan Scholae Palatinae as an Aedile. Alone, these are accurate indicators of his dedication to doing the impossible, managing tasks that would burn out a lesser leader. His unsolicited help in the Shadow Academy has also lent to the awarding of a Dark Cross and his streamlining of the new member experience—something that I feel he holds as one of the Brotherhood’s leading foundations.

Building on that mention of the Shadow Academy, his work earned him 17 Scrolls of Foundation. As a master of lore, he’s also won 4 Legions of the Scholar for winning trivia events hosted over IRC. His dedication to whatever role he finds himself in and his Clan was recognized in the two Seals of Loyalty he received since his last promotion, for a total of four.

With his leadership being detailed in this recommendation, I will stress that the best leaders are better members. To attest to this, Xantros has participated in 153 total competitions, earning 65 crescents for placements. There’s a reason for his twelfth-level ranking in the Inquisitorus, and that is the 100 Clusters of Ice he has amassed. In the Crusades, he rushed into battle to bring in 25 Seals of the Crusader, with an additional 4 Seals of Revelation from the Eleventh Great Jedi War.

Does this behemoth ever stop? It doesn’t seem like it. Xantros has earned this promotion, along with the respect of his summit whom he has proven wrong time and again in less than a month. We applaud his efforts, and hope to see more surprises from him in the future.

Seer A'lora Kituri, 2015-12-24 00:11:32 UTC

Xantros is a model professor. As Professor of the Department Leadership Studies for the past two years, he has successfully overseen the replacement of every single course in his Department. He continues to work successfully not only with other members of my staff, but also with grumpy pandas and a rotating cast of MAA magistrates who share responsibility for some of his courses. He even takes the initiative to look for errors in courses beyond his Department so that the whole Shadow Academy can be improved.

On top of all that, his regular course-grading workload is among the highest in the Academy. He has graded 324 exams with an average grading time of only 11 hours -- an impressive feat, especially when considering that his courses include some of the Academy's most intensive exam questions and that he strives to give helpful feedback. I believe that Xantros is driven by a desire to make the Shadow Academy, and the Brotherhood as a whole, a better place, and I think he has and continues to succeed in that effort. Thank you for your hard work, Xantros, and congratulations!

Lord Dacien Victae, 2015-12-23 07:17:55 UTC

When I think of an upper equite, I think of someone who has transitioned from a focus on individual achievement to the betterment of their unit and the Brotherhood. In other words, a leader. From the moment I returned to Odan-Urr Xantros caught my eye and never ceased to impress. He supported every fiction activity put forward by our members, he made himself available to mentor members on the subjects of writing and leader and he constantly asked the summit what he could do to help. He submitted ideas to the summit on how we could improve our processes. He was, without a doubt, a leader within the ranks.

When it came time to hire a Rollmaster, Xantros made the decision easy for us. As A’lora has detailed he has made an impressive amount of changes in a very short time and that is only the beginning. Xantros is a model member, leader and contributor to the Brotherhood as a whole. His elevation to the upper equite ranks is a foregone conclusion in my book.

Congratulations Xantros, you’ve more than earned this,

• Proconsul, Clan Odan-Urr

Councillor Turel Sorenn, 2015-12-23 18:53:55 UTC

The news of this was one of great joy. Xantros has been a killer member, leader, and friend for many years now. Even though he does a lot less evil grinning these days, if there is one thing Xantros has proven, is his relentless pursuit of excellence. Not just of his self, but for the club.

Xantros has never stopped his own development. His drive with high participation, awareness and presence all point to his desire to make himself the best he can be. Lucky for him, he is already so amazing. When he had returned to HSP from the rogues several years ago, it was to much excitement, especially from myself. His time as my AED was marked with a high level of activity, and brilliant ideas to better the entire house. He was a lifeline during some of the most difficult days we faced as a house, and without him, I certainly know I would have ended up folding my hand. It was nearly every single time we talked, that he would present a new idea or concept to pursue. Rather than just bring them up and leave them, he would then turn around and write up a concept or proposal for us to try out. Somethings things stuck, but those that didn't never slowed Xantros down in his push forward.

Xantros is someone I always look forward to talking with and interacting with, even with his move to COU. They have picked up one hell of a member. Congratulations Xantros, and yes Drinks are on you!

Lord Idris Adenn, 2015-12-23 22:35:02 UTC