I'm usually pretty nostalgic and thoughtful about the history of the Brotherhood. I come up with "random facts" probably once a day. While Tarentum is now closed and gone away, I think a little bit of nostalgia is needed in discussing Sarin. Our case, in my opinion, adequately describes him as Grand Master.

When Sarin's most-recent term as GM began, there were quite a number of voices proclaiming that Tarentum ought to be closed. The only person who seemed willing to give us one last shot was Sarin himself. Going against the general recommend that it would be healthier for the Club if Tarentum were closed three years ago, Sarin gave the reins of Tarentum literally to itself, and said, "Come on. Get yourselves up and go. Be all you can be." Even his motivational speeches scream "Army." (Just kidding.)

While some like to confuse the evil character he portrays with the man sitting behind the computer, it's very telling that Sarin does not hold grudges. If he did, Tarentum would've been closed immediately. Time and again, the Clan showed a willingness to fight the Dark Council on everything for no good reason, or it was a place where members were being bullied, ignored, and just felt ostracized. Those habits were changing, even at the end, but quite frankly, sometimes you just have to say "that's enough." Tarentum was closed. Again, where Sarin could have said "the Dark Council and/or Star Chamber have voted to close you," he instead said "Yes, I sought out advice and thoughts, but in the end, this decision falls on me, and I am closing you." From Tarentum's standpoint, closure is closure. It sucks either way. And yet, it still speaks about Sarin as GM. It still speaks about how he sees his position as head of the Club. The hard decisions have to be made from the Iron Throne, and he doesn't share the blame. He doesn't pass the buck. He accepts the good and the bad, because that's what is required of that position.

As leaders, we all ought to try and parallel that attitude and accountability. We have to make choices, both good and bad. As both a member and leader within the Brotherhood, I have been given opportunities by many, including Sarin. I have never had the "friendship" with Sarin that I had with Jac. I have never had that "peerage" with Sarin that I had with Muz. The professional relationship with Sarin isn't one mimicked by the relationship I have with any of our past GMs. And yet, the daily interactions and overall professional acquaintance that I have with Sarin has shaped me. And, in some ways, I hope I have had an impact on him in some fashion or another. And if we all look at this objectively, Sarin is getting us back on track to where we need to be as a Club. We are getting a new Grand Master, and not recycling old leadership. We are getting a Grand Master who, after the Split, was ambassador to the other Clubs, and helped guide the Brotherhood towards the vision that we are becoming.

It is not an easy feat to reward someone who has sat on the Iron Throne. As a Club, we give them the rank of Grand Master (I feel it actually is the Club giving that rank to those chosen few), and we submit our power to them, and ask them to guide us. We often provide token gestures, such as images of lightsabers and other trinkets. Yet, more worthwhile than any simple image is true thanks. While the end of Tarentum still hurts, it is not an end that I blame on Sarin. Instead, I thank him for the profound respect that he had for both myself and the Clan as a whole, and the support he was to me and the entire Clan throughout the process. I think him for his work over the last three years, in trying to do what he believed would be correct for this Club, and all of its members. I am grateful that, after two decades of membership, this Club is still here, and I know that Sarin is a large part of why this Club still exists. His support financially, as well as in all actions, benefits all of us. Whatever award the Star Chamber bestows upon him for this, please know that my very real support, and sincere gratitude go along with it.

-Beef

Master Zsarion Bloodfyre, 2018-02-23 05:55:39 UTC

It is no overstatement to say that Pravus, or Sarin as most of the club knows him, ushered in a period of great change and growth for the club when he returned to the Iron Throne three years ago. As Pronconsul then Consul of Odan-Urr I had the privilege of working directly with him for most of this tenure as Grand Master. While COU benefited from the club-wide changes Sarin championed such as the introduction of NFUs, the gray path and the long-awaited possessions system, he also made a series of decisions that directly contributed to Odan-Urr becoming and fulfilling its potential as a full Clan of the Brotherhood.

First, upon taking office Sarin made an immediate decision to bring all the units of the Brotherhood up to clan status. For most of the older units this was a re-clanning but for Odan-Urr this was our first time reaching clan status. I was a new join to House Odan-Urr and took my first tentative steps in club leadership with a summit that whispered of clanning as some distant dream we had to work to achieve. That small status change was a big deal for the Odanites, finally, we were truly equal to the other units in the Brotherhood with a clan title of our own and equal standing to the older units. We were at last able to form houses and expand our little corner of the shared DB universe. Throughout the entire process of Clan Odan-Urr taking shape Sarin worked hand in hand with us to get those clan institutions in place.

Second, and probably most influential to COU's development came roughly two years ago when Sarin sat A'lora and I down to discuss the future of COU in the Brotherhood. We all agreed it did not make sense in-character for a clan of Jedi to exist in a Dark Brotherhood. Several options were discussed and the destruction of New Tython was agreed to by all. Contrary to what many believe Sarin didn't dictate that outcome to us, if we had wanted to go another way he would have worked with us. Instead, he empowered us, the clan leaders, to choose which path to take. We worked closely with Sarin and the Dark Council on the development of a new fictional direction and home for COU that would see us realize our full potential as a light side clan in the Brotherhood. We were free at last to be the light in the darkness. Sarin let us have a real purpose for existing in the larger Brotherhood fictional scheme. I know some aspects of that plotline became controversial over time and changes were rightfully made toward the end of Sarin's tenure but his decision to let COU be unabashedly light and the flood of member engagement and creativity that resulted from that will echo for generations to come.

Others will speak to Sarin's many accomplishments as Grand Master and how he brought about an era of progress and transparency to the club. As a unit leader I did not always agree with his decisions, but even in dissent I always felt like I was heard and had a voice. There were even a few times he was swayed by my arguments. He may have had some misgivings about me when I first became a clan leader, but he gave me a shot anyway and I hope I did not disappoint. If there is one thing I wish to convey to the general membership after working with Sarin directly for two and a half years it is that his guiding star has always been the experience of the individual member and he impressed that upon his dark councilors and unit leaders. Every decision he made, no matter how difficult, was made with you, the individual member, in mind. He welcomed dissenting opinions and carefully weighed all sides to the best of his ability before making a decision. I argued with him over those years and I will argue with him still on certain matters but at the end of the day I hold Sarin in the highest of respect because he really does hold the membership closest to his heart.

So on behalf of all the members of Clan Odan-Urr past and present, I proudly lend my voice in support of presenting Grand Master Pravus with our highest award. Thank you for your continued support of Odan-Urr and its leaders.

Turel Sorenn

Consul Emeritus and Councilor of Urr

Champion Rajhin Cindertail, 2018-02-23 05:56:56 UTC

Sarin is a DB legend. Years after his first term as Grand Master he still had the desire and drive to serve as Voice, Deputy Grand Master, and, of course, fill the Iron Throne a second time. During my time as Headmaster I saw him lay out a vision, give clear direction, and then step back and let his Dark Council, staff, and other members do work. He's always been open to advice, but never hesitated to make a decision. The Path and Order system and Possessions are proof enough that his approach to leadership paid dividends.

It has been a privilege to work with him over the years, and I'm sure this won't be the last we see of him in leadership. This club would not be as strong as it is today, two decades in, without his dedication and hard work.

Bubba

Lord Dacien Victae, 2018-02-23 05:57:24 UTC

During his time on the Iron Throne GM Pravus led the Dark Jedi Brotherhood through a period of unprecedented change. The right person at the right time, he immediately set organizational goals, implemented rigid completion timelines, and provided an unparalleled level of transparency, welcoming member suggestions and feedback. One would be hard pressed to identify someone more committed to the collective growth and success of a organization. It would be a disservice to merely say GM Pravus served the Brotherhood, quite simply he lived the Brotherhood. Thank you for your service GM Pravus, we are incredibly appreciative of the hard work and dedication you afforded us during a tenure that passed too quickly.

~Monty~

Montresor, 2018-02-23 05:57:53 UTC

Sarin and I have an interesting relationship. And we have a system. He awards his medals and keeps me out of it. Then I yell at him for not providing details so that people in 10 years know what the hell the medal was for. For service as Grand Master, I would enjoy recommending Sarin for a medal. Because you are a boss. Thanks for all you do for our club. I really appreciate it. </stolen from Sarin>. Woo!

Howlader Taldrya, 2018-02-23 05:58:22 UTC

I feel like a lot of what makes Matt (Pravus) awesome has been said in the main recommendations, so I'll keep mine humble and short. I haven't had the pleasure to work with Matt before becoming Herald. We never formally met except when I asked him to kill off my old character when he was Voice (talk about an icebreaker). That said, it was a risk and it was a leap of faith for him to give me a DC job, a lowly (at the time) Equite who could do graphics and had worked under 4 separate Heralds but never outshone them or showed up on anyone's radar. Some would say it was the obvious choice in retrospect, but most people don't really understand the responsibility of a Council position, no matter what office. If the Clans are the body of the Club and the members its heart, then the DC is the cool head that leads and the responsibility on all of us to deliver on time and with efficiency is huge. Matt gave me the opportunity to prove myself as Herald and as a Councillor. To me, that's a sign of a great leader and a great person not because he makes the tough decisions, but because he gives so many opportunities and hands you his faith in you on a platter. I can only hope that I haven't failed his trust even once because I'd be ashamed and disappointed if I did. Thank you for your dedication to the Club, for your leadership and your friendship over the past three-odd years. Your trust will always be appreciated and respected.

• Vyr (Morgan)

• Herald of the Brotherhood

Governor Tierra Suha'sen, 2018-02-23 05:59:02 UTC

Sarin hired me onto the DC, and has been the GM since. Every accomplishment during my time as Voice and even the mere existence of my position as Regent and all subsequent accomplishments since have happened under his guidance and support. His ability to challenge the process and ask the simplest of questions to keep things on the right track has always given me more confidence in the work being done. Specifically, the two key accomplishments of the past several years seeing release being the fiction society during my time as Voice, and later possessions system during my time and Regent. His oversight and leadership through this process to make sure all the pieces fit in the DJB systems was invaluable. As the dozens of email chains requesting his comment and feedback on a range of topics went on, with an eventual need to better define standard subject headings and consolidate topics.

Thank you, Sarin, for all your leadership and guidance during your time as GM. It must feel thankless for so much of your impact to show up in the work of your team while we get all the credit, but I know you never saw it that way.

In darkness,

Evant, Regent

Lord Nevan Taelyan, 2018-02-23 05:59:35 UTC

There is no single person in recent DB history that has had more of an indelible impact on club systems, member engagement, and growth than our retiring Grand Master. Matt brought so many things to the table during his reign as GM that it's hard to list them all. Fortunately, the litany of voices on this recommendation have listed most of them, so I'll stick with what I know: improvements to the gaming system.

16 months ago, Pravus took a chance and brought an EQ2 on as Fist. He gave me only two pieces of advice: First, don't make any massive overhauls to the gaming system without approval. Second, figure out how to improve gaming in the club. In the nearly year and a half that followed, Matt has given me a great deal of freedom in adjusting the gaming system to allow for a broader spectrum of competition methods, supported games, and supported platforms. Matt's metrics-driven approach to adding platforms gave me the framework I needed to clearly define how games are supported, and what things would completely disqualify a game from support. His clear guidance on making the GJW unique led to the elimination of separate gaming tiers and opened up every game the DB supports for use in the most recent war. Throughout every change I recommended, Matt asked the same questions; his standards never changed once.

Matt is truly one of the best leaders (and people) in this club. His vision for the DB over the past three years has led to some incredible changes, all of them for the better. This small mosaic of digital pixels and colors is a smaller award than he deserves for all of the time, effort, and heart he has put into this club.

Congrats on a successful term as GM, Matt. Enjoy the rest. You have more than earned it.

-Drac

Master Dracaryis, 2018-02-23 06:00:19 UTC

Sarin. Pravus. Grand Master. Matt. No matter what name or title you choose to call him, the same core, unwavering principle remains the same: this guy is the mold that all Leaders should be crafted from.

For you see, Leadership isn't just about popularity and likability. No. A true Leader, quite simply, is someone that puts others before themselves. They are the ones that are willing to sacrifice their own wants or needs for the sake of others. Sarin has given more to the Brotherhood than many members can ever hope to mirror. He is in the rare circle of legendary members who has now served at the highest level of leadership not once, but twice. For many, it would be easy to use that position to promote a personal agenda, or to seek personal gratification or glory.

None of that has been the case for Sarin. The man identified early on that the Brotherhood had a burning need to grow and move towards a healthier state. He started this in returning to the Dark Council as Voice, but truly brought it to the next level when moving up to Deputy Grand Master and then preparing to take on his second term as GM. Right out of the gate, Sarin started to push the Brotherhood outside of its comfort zone.

There were shake ups. It was bumpy. It was not easy. Sarin will be the first to take responsibility for any of his decisions–good or bad. Change is never easy, and it's never something that just happens over night. Sarin laid out his plan–his vision–for how to move the Brotherhood forward, not backward. He did not have to, but he did, because for Sarin, the only thing that has ever mattered is the health and growth of this club.

Sarin started off with giving powers back to the Clans. He made bold decisions in hiring members to his Dark Council. He headlined a major Dark Covenant rewrite, part of which included putting a cap on his own term. He made the bold decision to move the Brotherhood in-line with Star Wars new Canon material. He made the decision to make sure that when we ran a major club competition, we did it right. He made the decision to close a unit that had been a part of the Brotherhood for decades. He identified what was needed to be done for future generations, and didn't leave the rest of the clubs leadership hanging dry.

He did all of this knowing that all actions have consequences. He never wavered and stood by each of them–all while perpetually increasing the level of transparency and accountability of himself as Grand Master, and by extension the rest of the clubs ruling body.

Transparency, communication, and efficiency. I guess those are the three defining traits that Sarin has brought to the Dark Council and by extension the Brotherhood. He enforces unpopular policies he believes are right, but based all of his decisions on data-driven explanations. He never executed an action "just because he felt like it". He always opened himself to listen to feedback. Even if you didn't agree with him, he made it a point to answer questions and concerns directly.

He did all of this while serving as a mentor and guiding hand to the rest of the club’s leadership. When he got wind that there was turmoil in the Voice Staff, he pulled me aside and told me. He gave me his thoughts on what he'd do in my situation, but then let me handle it on my own. It was what I needed to hear at the time, and it helped empower me to make the decisions necessary to make some changes. Almost a year later, I've now seen how those changes shaped and affected how I handle my position as a leader. And that's the funny thing. All of these decisions might not see an immediate return. They are long plays. But I truly believe that when we look back at this time period for the Brotherhood 5 years from now, we will truly be thankful for these hard decisions that were made now. The club needed these decisions to be made, and Sarin was the right person at the right time to make them.

On a personal level, I just wanted to add a few more things to this rambling excuse for a recommendation. Working for Sarin over the years has not been easy. I won't lie and say that I haven't been stressed or pulled my hair out or wanted to flip a table in frustration. However, Sarin said one simple thing to me that has helped me endure, and grow, and learn, and become better. Three simple, but very important words: "I trust you." If I've learned anything in the years following and supporting you, it's that trust is one of the most powerful things a leader can give to their subordinates.

So, thank you for putting your trust in me, Matt. Thank you for enabling and empowering me by giving a loud-mouthed former Consul that argued incessantly with the Dark Council a chance to be a CM and then Voice. I would not be here without you, and I certainly wouldn't be as confident in myself as a leader without your guidance over the years.

From the bottom of my ever-shrinking heart, thank you for everything.

-Wally

Voice of the Brotherhood

Lord Marick Tyris Arconae, 2018-02-23 06:00:53 UTC

I have had the good fortune of serving as Grand Master Pravus' Deputy Grand Master for three years, and although this recommendation will focus narrowly on the last two years, and in particular on Pravus' strengths as a leader, I echo the sentiments of the Star Chamber and other Councilors in noting that the retiring Grand Master has touched every aspect of our club for the better.

Pravus has, above all else, spent the last three years building our Brotherhood. Since his last award in 2015, the club has seen tremendous changes, many of which the Star Chamber has already described. It is through his strength of leadership that the club has completed a successful Great Jedi War and implemented numerous new club systems. Perhaps Pravus' greatest strength has been his ability to put individuals in positions to succeed, from the current Regent, whose completion of the Possessions system puts to end a 15 year project, to our Herald whose development of a graphics community - and soon Society - has seen a remarkable transformation in the quality and quantity of art produced by our members. Pravus has always been willing to make the hard decisions for the betterment of the club, and his second tenure as Grand Master has been no different. As Pravus retires, our club has more ways than ever for members to experience a unique and engaging Star Wars experience and has put us in position to succeed for years to come.

At no point were the strengths of Pravus' leadership more on display than in the preparation for, and during, the Great Jedi War. Pravus saw that we needed to adjust course and correct the story both of the club and the GJW; the previous fictional plans would not have been of interest to the majority of members, something Pravus recognized. Noting the short timetable until the War, Pravus made the decision to delay the Great Jedi War by more than two months in order to allow us to build the Factions system and eventually the Collective. Pravus formed a small fictional advisory group that collaboratively developed the Collective concept into a workable enemy for the entire club. Beyond the fiction of the war, Pravus wanted us to utilize a scoring system that limited the need for members to "spam" but gave plenty of opportunities to members. The final product of this was the scoring used in the War that enabled a wide breadth of content without requiring members participate themselves to death, that all together saw more unique participants than we have had in the last two Great Jedi Wars with 217 unique seal recipients. The Great Jedi War saw a combined total of more than 1750 competition entries, marking it as a major success. Ultimately, Pravus' decision to delay the War allowed us to provide a superior product to the membership.

It has been my honor to serve with Pravus as his Deputy Grand Master, and I can see no more fitting way to send him into retirement than his second Golden Lightsaber!

Telaris "Mav" Cantor, 2018-02-23 06:01:18 UTC

Matt,

Mav and I spoke tonight about the difficulty in writing a recommendation for you when so much has already been said. I could talk about your accomplishments as GM, but that has been handled by the Star Chamber. I could rehash some old memory of the first time we started talking, and how I knew you would be a great successor to me, but I think I did that for your first GLS. I could talk about your style of leadership, and how you always found a way to accomplish exactly what you set out to do. But, all of those things have been spoken about. While I can echo those sentiments, I hope that I can say something more.

You are a good friend, and a great man. Not just to me, but to so many of the people in this club you are a shining example of what we set out to be. Outgoing, optimistic, charming, funny and smart; these are the ideal traits that you display and that many of us wish we had in more abundance. You are a geek to be proud of, one who wears his love for Star Wars right on his sleeve. You are not only a great representative of this club; you are a great representative of the whole Star Wars community.

I hope, without me having to say so specifically, that you know how much I have appreciated and admired your work over the last three years. I love this club and I have been forever grateful to those that have continued to carry the leadership torch. You have helped provide for so many a welcome escape, and you have improved the club in more ways than many of us could have imagined. You are the heart and soul of this club, and always will be, regardless of your position.

I know you well enough to see when there is something on the horizon. The cogs are turning in your mind, and there will be little time passed before we see you going head on into your next project. And that is great; we need all the Sarin we can get.

Matt, thank you. Thank you for everything.

When you find it appropriate, please also thank Nan. Her patience and awesomeness are legendary.

To borrow from another Sci-Fi flick: I have, and always will be, your friend,

Jim

Jac Cotelin, 2018-02-23 06:01:44 UTC