Let me preface this by saying we've had an incredible year together.

I said so much of what I wanted to say when we dropped your Ruby Scepter a couple of weeks ago, but, I am not the sole voice of Odan-Urr. I am just the guy sitting in the hot-seat for the time being. So instead, I'll turn to the masses and let them do the speaking for me, there's a lot of people with fond memories with you (and a lot to say about the man who thought he'd never reach Elder) and I'll recount the things you've done since your last promotion while I try and think up something witty to say.

You've organized 62 competitions, co-organized another 20, and competed in 491 competitions since you hit EQ4 back in 2017, earning a massed award catalog along the way, including a Gold Nova, a Bronze Nova, 5 Crescents with Diamond Stars, 11 Crescents with Ruby Stars, 34 Crescents with Amethyst Stars, another 34 Crescents with Sapphire Stars, 24 Crescents with Emerald Stars, 5 Crescents with Topaz Stars, and 4 Crescents with Quartz Stars. You've also managed to compile a total of 666 Clusters of Fire, 133 Clusters of Ice, and 18 Clusters of Graphite, and a Pendant of Blood, as well as a Legion of the Scholar. You've earned 4 Scrolls of the Master, 12 Seals of Fury, 3 Seals of Visions, 8 Seals of Ascension, and 2 Seals of Transcendence.

Your writing efforts have truly pushed the Clan forward, and it shows. Looking at your impressive resume, it's your bread and butter, with a regular fiction record of 18 Fictions containing 15,911 words, 35 Roleplays (as a participant) with 42,079 words, 3 as a DM with 1,779 words, and 2 Run-Ons with 1,760 words. You've advanced to Rank 11 in the Envoy Corps as a Participant and Rank 3 as an Organizer. You've also nailed down a place in the Shadow Academy, passing 54 Courses and earning 7 degrees, advancing another 3 ranks, as well as 5 ranks in the GMRG, 3 in the Inquisitorius, 4 in the Shroud Syndicate, and 1 in the ACC Participant League.

Your combined efforts in leadership through the years have shown testament to your devotion to Clan and Club. Serving a combined total of 9 months as a Battle Team Leader, 8 as an Aedile, 5 as Quaestor, and 7 as my Proconsul, just since your last promotion. You've lent your hand in leadership throughout the years, stretching far back beyond these positions to your first (listed) rollmaster position in Tridens Transfers back in '05. You've continuously given to the Club and I don't see any sign of slowing, even as you complain about being long in the tooth. You've also taken it on yourself to train our new members and help in the reactivation of old members, going out of your way to pester our esteemed friends and cunning rogues to see if they were interested in revisiting the DB, and more often than not, they've obliged.

This is just the first step towards many greater things for you in the DB. Your run isn't over yet Jack.
Ever onwards.

High Councillor Masahiro Haku, 2025-03-07 02:44:19 UTC

After being with the Brotherhood for longer than can be properly counted, you'd have a harder time finding someone who doesn't know Jack than those who know him. And of many of those people, you need only mention his past handles of Yuki, Rin, Xirini, Balthier, or Anochiir for people to quickly recognize him.

Quite frankly, this promotion is overdue by at least a decade, so more than anything else I'm glad to see Jack granted this rank at last.

While much could be said for his awards, and you can see many of those yourself, that's a poor measurement of his sheer volume of contributions to Clan Odan-Urr. I've lost count of how many times we have talked in private about character direction, creation, ideas, concepts, and even potential story directions. Jack has never hesitated to offer feedback on these things, and has been always open to criticism or suggestions when it comes to his own works. He's helped repeatedly shape and rework several of my characters, and I know full well he has offered the same to many others. Sometimes these suggestions are simple things such as skills structure or possible feats to help with a characters' progression, in others it's the quality of each aspect picked and how beneficial they might be to storytelling.

Even without his direct assistance, he's proven to be a constant presence on the Clan's Discord channels. From memes, to serious discussions, to reminding people of competitions, to rampant shitposting. Half the reason the Clan remains a great place for our members is thanks to his efforts. The term "pillar of the community" is an easy thing to attribute to many members, but few people exemplify it nearly so well as Jack has. NEW [3:05 PM] Yet even beyond all of this, there's his efforts as a leader to speak of. Having served as part of the summit repeatedly, there have been constant occasions where he has served by example, offered reminders of activities, and praised people have gone above and beyond for us. Not to mention, of course, a deluge of activities for people to jump on - The most recent of these being the hundred or so haiku competitions he has lined up.

All I can say by the end of this is that Jack has done absolutely everything to earn the rank of Elder and more, and I cannot think of anyone else in Clan Odan-Urr more deserving of such a promotion.

Nikora Rhan, 2025-03-05 21:54:52 UTC

Having known Jack for the almost the entire time we both have been here, I can say he has helped many join and thrive here, his contributions to the Brotherhood span a quarter of a century. His contributions to Odan Urr as Pro-Consul have been immeasurable. Running communications to members, keeping activities going and known to all; planning the course of the clan and many other behind the scenes activities. The Clan runs smoothly with him as Pro-Consul. Jack deserves his elevation to the Elder rank.

Waza Sunrider

Battlelord Waza Sunrider, 2025-03-05 21:55:59 UTC

I have been in this club since 2012, I met Jack in 2016. At first he probably hated me, I was annoying and drove him insane. However, from the moment I joined COU Jack has been one of the people who kept pushing me to be better, be that in writing or just simply as a person. There's a reason my second longest running character has been a relative to one of his character, the pure respect I have for the man. He may come off as grumpy, or that he doesn't actually care but Jack is a softie and is there if someone needs to talk. We joke about how the in the elder times getting Elder required certain... favors and that neither of us would become one, but here's to proving us wrong. While his activity hasn't been the most flashy, it's consistent even if not in metrics the site tracks. The man is also the only reason I'm still in this club, so blame him whenever I do something to annoy people. But this promo is more than earned and you deserve it, congratulations brother.

Reaper Heiken Akechi, 2025-03-05 22:13:03 UTC

I have known Jack since I joined the Brotherhood nearly 10 years ago. In that time he has become a friend and a guide, especially in writing really teaching me to listen to a character and let them go where they go. On behalf of everyone you have mentored in writing and other things: thank you. I only have one other thing to say (and what I had originally wanted to when I was asked for a rec): I karking told you so

Colonel Len Iode, 2025-03-06 00:05:16 UTC

Man, you got a lot of names, Jack. I'll just call you Jack from now on :P

There's not a lot to say about Jack. He's been in the Club for ages and he always seems to be around, in leadership or as a member, just sort of hanging in the air like a smell you can't get rid off. Thankfully it's a pleasant smell :P

Jack's been the main driver of member retention, activity and hype for a while, at least in COU, but I've known him for far too long to think that's a one off thing. He was the same in other Clans we shared, and he's been pretty consistent so far. He's a member's leader, if that makes sense. He'll get on your level and explain things in a way you'll get. Things will click, you'll think you're dumb for not seeing them that way, and then you'll move on after a pleasant experience.

That's who Jack is.

He's the engine oil, the gear grease, the alternator to the battery of our Clan. He keeps refilling it, he keeps greasing the wheels and oiling the engine so it runs smoothly. The ultimate support, and hopefully in the future, the ultimate leader.

Listen, I won't ramble any more. Jack's done more stuff for more time than most members have been in this Club, and he's done it from the relative obscurity of Clan and House leadership.

Congrats on ding, Jack! You deserved it a hell of a lot. Get on my level, I'll be waiting. That's a challenge. :P

• Vyr

Governor Tierra Suha'sen, 2025-03-06 00:53:47 UTC

Jack is a builder, the kind of person who doesn't seek out the limelight or accolades but works behind the scenes to make the club a better place for everyone else. Everything I said in his EQ4 promotion is just true today as it was back then. Jack is the friendly face welcoming you to the club and clan. He's the patient mentor who puts in the time to help you reach your potential. He's the calm and sage advisor to help young leaders succeed. I count myself among the multitudes Jack has mentored and encouraged over the years. I can think of no greater proof that Jack already walks the path of an elder than the legacy he has left on the hearts of the members he's impacted.

I can confidently say that Odan-Urr would not be where it is without Jack, he's part of the mortar that holds all the bricks together. As someone who has served in the highest levels of leadership in the club as a dark councilor and consul, I will tell you that the club would die on the vine without members like Jack. It's the quiet, behind the scenes work, of making members feel welcome and empowered that Jack does so well that keeps the lifeblood of member retention flowing.

Jack, my friend, thank you for taking the time to mentor a young BTL back in the day and enjoy this long overdue elevation to elder.

Councillor Turel Sorenn, 2025-03-06 02:01:20 UTC

Whilst others have covered various achievements, merits and his impact on Odan-Urr, I will be much more personal. I've known Mihoshi, or Jackifer as he was called then (the name stuck) for twenty years... likely more, since I keep forgetting about the BHG.

Whilst my cousin by blood, Jack has always been a steadfast mentor, quasi-therapist and friend. When I rejoined the club in 2010 as Celevon Edraven, Jack was my Aedile in House Galeres... I know, right? Small world. He should have been my Master in the club, but someone else beat him to the spot by asking first. Nevertheless, Jack is the one I have learned the most from and continue to do so as each day goes by.

He is also one of the few I happily call 'brother', even if it's only in spirit. Jack encourages each of us to improve and continue improving, whether it's a friendly chat, stern glares to do competitions or reminding us that everyone has to start somewhere, this man is that person. Whilst many people embody the spirit of Odan-Urr (Ohana), Jack is it's Heart.

Thank you, my brother. Congratulations on finally joining me in the Elder ranks. It's been a long time coming. <3

Captain Aryn "Jade" Erinos-Magnuri, 2025-03-06 14:02:49 UTC

I remember in 2017, Jack wouldn't shut up about how he would never make EQ4. And then he did. Turel spearheaded the bear-poking, but if you look at that promotion event, you'll see pretty much the entire Odanite summit of the time weighing in. In those days, promotions were based primarily on comp stats and the MAA office was justifiably skeptical of fluff recs. But Jack's main contribution to the clan at the time wasn't raw competition volume. It was one of those cases that stands out in my memory because we had to lay out why the "fluff" wasn't fluff and make it clear that "mentorship" and whatever else weren't just euphemisms for staying on the roster long enough to get promoted by default. And I think if you read those recs, it's clear that Jack was a big part of the scaffolding that the newly minted First Clan was built around. If you know the individuals who wrote those recs, it's even more impressive; we were hard-headed, intense workaholics who didn't agree on much besides the fact that Odanites deserved the best effort we had to give them.

Time has passed, systems have changed, and Jack has a long paper trail of activity and leadership contributions. We don't have to make a case to Howie this time, because it's a simple question of XP and Jack has unquestionably met the threshold. And yet we're all showing up once more, this time joined by other Odanite leaders, because Jack's contribution to his clan and our individual experiences in it are still worth laying out.

Jack was my first ACC opponent. Jack was one of my early DB editors. Jack pushed me to give my members my best self through three years of summit work. He has stepped away from time to time, to inactivity or other clans, but when COU has needed him to step up, that's what he's done. Like the foundation of a house, his support has been so enduring that it risks being taken for granted. I remember in 2018, Jack wouldn't shut up about how he was never going to get promoted to EL1. Well, the joke's on that grouchy old bastard. I'll see you in his EL2 promotion recs.

Alethia Archenksova

Moff Alethia Archenksova, 2025-03-06 20:51:42 UTC

Nerd.

Envoy Zuza Lottson, 2025-03-06 21:41:22 UTC

It feels like Jack is a staple of COU. I remember first joining the Clan and being taught how to be a battleteam leader by Jack, and then when I came back again Jack was there. For the last 10 or so years Jack has been an excellent guide through the DB, and an amazing teacher. Congratulations Jack, this was well earned.

Padawan Tisto Kingang, 2025-03-06 23:04:47 UTC

Clan Odan-Urr wouldn't be what it is without a Jack. Okay but seriously, Jack has been here for a very long time, or so I've been old... But in the few months I've known him, he's been nothing but a pillar of activity, and constantly encourages us to do the same. He does so much on a regular basis to constantly contribute to the clan, and to help and teach those around him about the DB.

Aedile Syrena Valkar, 2025-03-07 00:42:41 UTC

There's not many people in this club that I've known longer than Jack.

I first met Jak Ordo in CNS just a short while after I joined. I think that's one of the few names that the modern site forgot, but I still remember. Pretty sure it was basically a self-insert, too. That gruff merc had stern words of wisdom hiding behind barely restrained annoyance. Much as I imagine he probably was with the dramatic influx of noobs in Naga Sadow at the time, myself likely included. It wasn't long after that he cautioned me against some of the frankly obnoxious political nonsense that was happening in the DB at the time and gave me some pretty great advice about falling in with a group of particularly annoying clowns that would find themselves in front of the COJ for sharing SA answers. After that, Jack rolled a new character, the younger sister of Manji as we started to build the story of the Keibatsu.

He's been through a lot of characters since those days, but he is still the same person in the center of it, beneath that gruff exterior. Dedicated, creative, caring, one of the best friends you could hope for. His time in the club has seen him across at least five clans, holding down leadership spots whenever the rubber meets the road needed refreshing. Working angles behind the scenes, trying to drum up excitement for new developments and new plots... not only in new members looking to set their teeth into something, but old friends who feel like subjecting whole new generations to being brutalized by emotional fictional development. It's the biggest thing that we do here in the Brotherhood: Make lasting friendships. After all, that's what keeps us coming back for more.

So yeah, I'm going to say that Jack should be an elder. He already is. We should make his dossier reflect that.

Lord Muz Ashen Keibatsu, 2025-03-07 00:53:07 UTC

Jack is a name many have heard. I've got the chance to work with him many times. He always sticks around somewhere, even when it is to be nagged to go do something. This club can take a lot of patience and I applaud Jack for sticking around as long as he has. Thank you for all the service you gave Odan-Urr and continue to give Odan-Urr.

Congratulations old man. You deserve it!

~Aura Ta'var Friend, Old Boss, and Fellow Nagger

Aurora "Aura" Ta'var, 2025-03-07 02:29:45 UTC