I gave Rian 48 hours to send me a list of all his members who participated in Horizons and what they had been awarded for their hard work. He responded to me almost immediately and knew that here was a leader on top of his responsibilities. This notion was further reinforced when I read his list and saw that everyone's awards were both timely and appropriate. But on his list I noticed one thing missing: An award for his own very hard work during the Vendetta.

They say leaders lead from the front. I've seen it. I'm seeing it again right now. During the competition Rian not only offered up 13 submissions of his own, but as a leader, he ensured his members were doing their parts as well. He also had to take the time to make sure they were enjoying themselves. Kept them informed. All a member has to do is play. And this is exactly as it should be. But a leader has to not only organize, strategize, encourage, motivate, advise, etc., he has to participate as well. He has to show his people: This is how it's done. Or why else would they follow him.

Often leaders in the club get left off the awards list because they are too humble and too honorable to nominate themselves. As they should be. They take care of their people and the work is the reward for them. This is where the rest of us come in. We need to make sure no one is left unrecognized. Especially with such hard-working, talented members as this leading the way for the rest of us.

So, Rian, let this Steel Cross remind you not of your glory, but of the honor with which you discharged your duties as a leader.

Well done.

--Raken, Deputy Grand Master

Rian is a young leader in charge of an old team. There are many ways to fail, many ways to burn out. Rather than take the easy route, he pushed. He pushed his members when they didn't want to run. He pushed them in front of the fun that they didn't know they could be having. He pushed them, and then he pushed himself. Rian did the work himself, participating in over a dozen events himself.

It's one thing to talk the talk, to tell people what to do. It's entirely another to prove that you're willing to do what you are asking everyone else to do. To leave everything on the field and have no regret about what could have been later.

The problem with being the boss in the trenches is two fold. First, you're a big bloody target. Thankfully, it's not as much of a problem in the Brotherhood. Second, you're expected to be the best, the brightest, the strongest. That means that if you work your tail off, you're just doing your job. People expect it of you, which makes it sometimes difficult for them to remember that you're a person, and that little bit of recognition can help recharge the batteries.

I hope that this little token helps you recharge, Rian.

Thank you again, --Muz Ashen, Dark Lord of the Sith

For being one of the members in Taldryan with the most submissions (13 in total), and his leadership during the RoS Horizon, Rian Aslar deserves some recognition. During the event, Rian did what he could to keep his house going, and is hereby awarded the Steel Cross.

--Korras, Master at Arms

Darth Aeternus, 2012-11-26 21:04:26 UTC