The Brotherhood was a very different place back in 2008/2009. The mere concept of "One Brotherhood" was not even a fledgling concept. It was a clubs culture that, despite distancing itself from the Emperors Hammer, was still a byproduct of it. Competition between Clans was encouraged. Rivalries and bitter exchanges were just accepted as part of the cost of operating an online star wars club.
Dash was a product of that environment and time period. He was responsible for taking over Clan Arcona after Mejas stepped aside, which represented a big tonal shift in culture. He then did some things that maybe some DBers rather he didn't- he did things like recruit his friends from other clubs.
He recruited me. So when I say I wouldn't be here in this club with Dash, I mean it.
And I'm sure some people reading this and bare their teeth or roll their eyes. Dash wasn't universally loved by everyone. But he was fiercely loyal to his friend, dedicated to doing his job, and very willing to be the "bad guy" if it meant doing something that could help the Clan out in the long term. He was not afraid to butt heads with anyone, and while that combative nature helped in the earlier times, it slowly became less needed as the club matured and grew into what it's been trying for today.
Dash and I did not agree on a lot of things. We fought about the future and the culture of the Clan and the club. But when it came down to the nitty gritty, punch for punch, he did not stand in my way or try to hold me back. He supported me and let me start towards a vision of a different kind of future for Clan Arcona and the larger Brotherhood.
For all of that, Dash did his best to adapt. Up until his eventual retirement and stepping away from the club, he did try his best to fit in with the new generation. But for some people, life has other priorities, people change, and so does the DB. So in light of not having been around the last many years to see a lot of our improvements and updates to the club, I will add a bit of color to this XP-granted promotion, as I believe the Elder Ranks still are important and vital and mean something.
Over the course of his career, Dash has held the positions of:
- Soulfire/Nighthawk BTS
- Nighthawk BTL
- M:Voice
- P:MAA
- Soulfire BTL
- Combat Master
- More BTL roles
- Consul x2
- Proconsul
- Aedile of Galeres
- Quaestor of Galeres
This spread, over the stretch of 11 years shows the range of impact Dash had in different elements of not just Clan leadership internally, but of club-level leadership working as CM and as part of the MAA team.
Since his last promotion, in 2010 (about when I graduated college, shit I feel very old now) Dash has earned 1 Emerald Dagger, 1 Ruby Scepter, 1 Amethyst Kukri, 3 Grand Cross, 2 Steel Cross, 1 Anteian Cross, 3 Dark Cross (probably from asking the GM a question for a report), 3 Gold Nova, 9 silver Nova, 2 Bronze Nova, a bunch of crescents, 88 CFs, 67 CIs, 2 SoFs, 10 Scrolls of the Master, 1 LoS, 5 SoLs, enough Seals to go clubbing, and 40,690 (nice) credits earned for Clan Arcona. He has organized 22 competitions, participated in 119, and completed 8 ACC matches for 17,580 words of fiction. And a lot of this is missing some things that were tracked prior to site changes and database carry-overs.
He even helped us squeak out a Silver Nova in a GJW, simply because I asked if he'd come help us out for this one silly voice over for a competition. He was also responsible for a lot of the world building behind Arcona's home system: Dajorra that is still in play today. A lot of his ideas and creativity are the foundation that was later built and expanded upon by future Consuls.
So while Dash has not been active in the club for quite some time, his legacy and work ethic have a chance to be highlighted and acknowledged.
Thanks for your service, you jaded old bastard. The club is different than the one you once operated in, but it will always be here and remember your contributions.
-W Walldawg
Lord Marick Tyris Arconae, 2024-05-20 15:57:12 UTC
It's felt wrong to be a higher rank than one of the men I so looked up to when I joined, so here's to fixing that today.
Jon -- I missed the Dash period -- was already one of the Olds for me as a little baby PRT in 2013. He wasn't fully retired then, but he'd set up his Clan to grow and his successors to take over and move on. Jon always fought for Arcona or those entrusted to him tooth and nail. It wasn't all good by any stretch, but the spirit was in it, and its that spirit that carried on to Wally, then to me, and to each successive Arconan leader and member today. It evolved like the Clan did from various efforts. We're strong as we are and still around today because of the legacy of members like Jon.
More personally, I've spent ten years in leadership, and when that was at the Clan and House level, Jon was always there to advise. While he formally retired from that advisor role along with some of the other Arconae who'd earned their rest a couple years ago, in that time he was always a great guidance and backbone to me. He was willing to fight anyone or anything for me or the Clan, and having that support alone always meant so much. This man is a legendary writer, builder, friend, and [redacted], and I know he earned Master as much as he earned probably not reading an email since 2020.
We love you, blue eyes. Thank you for setting the stones of the place I came to find and make my home.
Atty
In fact not 16
Master Ruka Tenbriss Ya-ir, 2024-05-20 17:38:24 UTC