It has taken me over two weeks to craft a promotion recommendation for Dark Jedi Master Kir Katarn. I have struggled to articulate Kir's impact on the Dark Brotherhood and on me as an individual. Should I craft flowery prose and discuss how Kir does honor to the most ethereal of all Dark Brotherhood ranks? Perhaps I should focus on what Kir, as a friend, has meant to me over the past 4 years? Maybe, I could discuss the priviledge of promoting one of the most deserving members in Dark Brotherhood history? Should I discuss Kir's service as a Consul, Deputy Grand Master, and Justicar?
I could discuss all of Kir's contributions and go into detail on why he is at the top of the order of merit list for Dark Jedi Masters, but instead, I'd just like to focus on one thing. Kir Katarn is a good person. Yes, the Dark Brotherhood has many good people, but it is Kir's very nature that has made him one of our greatest leaders in the Dark Brotherhood. Kir's ability to act as a decent human being has brought a sense of fairness and understanding to the highest levels of the Dark Brotherhood and this influence can be seen in every major club decision for the last five years.
In 2005 I left the Emperor's Hammer and rejoined the Dark Brotherhood. Initially I was met with a cold shoulder by many people. Several members even made it clear that I was not welcome in their House or Clan. In complete and total opposite of that, Kir Katarn welcomed me. Kir pulled me to the side and we discussed leadership ideas and ways to improve what was for all purposes a Clan on the edge of collapse. Rather than tell me to "work" my way back up to the top, Kir took a chance on me and made me his PCON. He took a look of flack for this decision, but his personal conviction and honor had him stand by me when I was very unpopular.
Kir's decision to take a chance on me began our four year relationship as friends and decision makers on the Dark Council and eventually at the highest levels of our Club. To say Kir's courage at taking a chance on me impacted my experience in the Dark Brotherhood, well that would be the greatest understatement of all time.
But, this promotion request is not about how Kir took a chance on Sarin. This promotion request is about how Kir's conviction and moral courage has impacted every position and person he has delt with in the Dark Brotherhood. Kir has taken flack for some decisions that he has made, but I can honestly say I have never come across a less biased or vindictive DJB member in my 9 plus years in these clubs. Kir has a pretty big right to be a jerk and vindictive because he has taken quite a lot of abuse as the JST. Cries of bias are easily thrown Kir's way, but those cries are often a diversion from the true matter at hand. Kir Katarn does what is right. And in many cases the right decision is an unpopular one.
So, I can think of no greater honor than to say Kir Katarn takes the "hard right, over the easy wrong". I can also think of no better person to become a Dark Prophet.
Congrats Kir. ~ Darth Sarin, Sith Lord
We are here today to recommend Kir for a promotion to Dark Prophet (DP). I can think of very few individuals in the Brotherhood who deserve to be DPed like Kir. He has served the Brotherhood in a number of positions and has applied his abilities in ways that few members have (or are even capable of doing). In virtually every position that Kir has assumed, he has left his constituents satisfied. Kir has now served as Justicar for over 2 years and has carried out his duties with enthusiasm, vigor, thoroughness and clear pleasure. He never allows a member to feel neglected or unimportant. He has done more than that, however; while serving as Justicar he has gone above and beyond mere adequacy. He was the individual primarily responsible for the most recent Great Jedi War and, ergo, was responsible for one of the more successful vendettas in Brotherhood history. Over the course of a fortnight or so, he brought great personal pleasure to many members through his actions. He has his hands in every nook and cranny of Brotherhood policy - and I mean all of them. Without Kir, many of us would never be able to succeed; I know I personally can attest to his ability to help me finish what I start and I'm sure most members of the DC feel similarly. His persistence, like marmalade, sticks to you and really makes you feel compelled to satisfy him. Though Kir and I have sometimes disagreed, most notably about his sexual preference, I feel that there are few individuals whom I would rather see DPed than Kir. Congratulations, Kir! ~ Syn Kaek, Master at Arms
Short of being a Grand Master, the rank of Dark Prophet is the highest elder degree attainable. There is no one in the Dark Brotherhood more worthy of this honor. As a former justicar myself, I am well aware of the stresses of that position. Kir has always managed to deal with the difficulties with aplomb, and has dealt with the slings and arrows of unhappy defendants and their clans, all the while maintaining a judicial temperament and a firm, fair hand. He was also one of the driving forces behind the last Great Jedi War, helping with grading and administration. For years, Kir has served the Brotherhood with distinction. He is deserving of promotion to its highest rank. I therefore am honored to recommend Kir for elevation to the rank of Dark Prophet. ~ Jedgar Paladin, Sith Lord
The Brotherhood, like anything else, has an endgame scenario, a point at which most people just stop playing. For the majority of our members, that point is being Knighted. It's a rare person that makes it up into the equite ranks and starts making a name for themselves. It's rarer still that a member actually makes such a name for themselves that the Club itself has to sit up and take notice, naming them as an Elder. Even among the Elders, few make it to the point that they are called a master.
Kir has achieved all of this. As a repeat DCer, Kir has been Consul repeatedly, Deputy Grand Master and has served as our Justicar for three Grand Masters already. Throughout this time, he has not only accomplished his own projects and ends, such as compiling complete notes of every CoJ case in an easy to read format on the wiki, but also has provided advice and counsel on pretty much every project that has come out to the membership over the last few years. Were it not for his involvement, the brotherhood would not be the place that it is today. Of particular noteworthiness were his efforts in the recent Great Jedi War. Taking up the baton, Kir developed the vendetta, worked with Raken to create meaningful events and trivia, put in excessively long hours in grading the events, and was essentially on point for the whole war. All while studying to become a medical doctor and keeping down a job. The dedication it takes to involve yourself so deeply in the running of an event like that can not be overestimated, and yet here he is juggling three fulltime threat on his time with aplomb.
Rank, as an indicator of how much a person has done and what they are capable of providing the club with, is a broad spectrum, especially over the years as certain ranks get easier or harder to attain. And as there are a limited number of them, many will share the same rank, and it is assumed that people of the same rank are of the same class of worthiness. It is for this reason that so few rise above in the elder ranks. Most will sit on their laurels, not even bothering to improve the club any longer. Kir has proven that that was not his path. That he would continue to fight, to press the Brotherhood forward, to make it a better place for all, regardless of the stones and spurs he would have to endure. His acts are a testament to his love for this club, and none can deny it. And it is for these reasons, for his ceaseless efforts, his constant drive, that I am honored to elevate Kir Katarn, and name him among our Prophets. ~ Muz Ashen, Dark Lord of the Sith
Lord Muz Ashen Keibatsu, 2009-05-28 13:56:42 UTC