Passed the Test of Lore

izzaldinkota, 2012-10-21 17:01:39 UTC

<I>Jedi Hunter Snabbie sat motionless, facing Dajorra's falling sun, eyes half-closed and straining to watch its dying rays.<BR><BR>  Upon the creation of his lightsaber, he had been brought here by the Consul,personally, to a circular dais atop Arcona Citadel on Selen. It was the first time he had been allowed to the Ziggurat's upper levels: the Holy of Holies of Clan Arcona, where its greatest secrets lay. And, he suspected, if he failed in his tasks, it might well be the last time.<BR><BR>  The last rays dipped beneath the horizon, and a final ray of light seemed to linger, just moments, on the Jedi Hunter's face.<BR><BR>  It had been an apparently easy task: Meditate, without calling upon the Dark Side, without food or drink, with the sun full in the sky, from dawn to dusk. The Consul had given a simple but forceful warning as the Jedi Hunter had set himself down for meditation: Failure to obey would be met with death. After that, the Clan's leader had requisitioned the Journeyman's lightsaber and left him to his own devices.  Darkness creeped forward as the sun finally disappeared, cloaking the Journeyman in shadow. Night had fallen.<BR><BR>  Wordlessly, the Jedi Hunter stood and turned around.  Figures, robed, with lightsabers in-hand, stood upon the ziggurat, apparently waiting. Snabbie recognized many of them: Arconae, Summit and other luminaries, each important within the Clan. Still others stood silent and hooded, wordless and hidden. And before them all stood Wuntila Zratian Entar Arconae, Lord of the Shadow Clan.<BR><BR>  "Jedi Hunter Snabbie," intoned the Consul, "you have come before us seeking to be elevated, have you not?"<BR><BR>  Snabbie nodded, eyes downcast. "I have, Master".<BR><BR> "Then understand that any hesitation, any disobedience, any defiance will result in death. Do you?"<BR><BR>  Again, the Jedi Hunter gave a nod, more cautiously this time. This elevation seemed unlike any other trial within the Clan…there was an unspecified sense that told him that his very life was at stake, here. Around, the gathered Arconans seemed to tense just slightly, and fingers hovered over an activation button. "I do, Master."<BR><BR>  "Very well then," said the Consul. "What makes you believe you are ready to become one of us?"<BR><BR>  An easy question, to begin with. "I have finished all tasks set before me by the Summit, and brought each to a good end."<BR><BR>  "Oh?" the Consul snarled, suddenly, as his face contorted with disgust. "You mean the construction of this trinket?"<BR><BR>  Wuntila reached within the folds of his robe, taking out a small cylinder.<BR><BR>  Snabbie recognized it instantly. It was his lightsaber.<BR><BR>  The Jedi Hunter looked at the Consul, shocked. "Yes," he said weakly, as Wuntila weighed the weapon in his hand.<BR><BR>  The Consul snorted contemptuously, and tossed the weapon off the ziggurat without so much as another glance.<BR><BR>  "No!" Snabbie screamed, heedless of protocol. There, tumbling through the air, was a work of months: Something that the Jedi Hunter had poured his heart, his soul, and all his skill with the Dark Side in to create. And it was about to be unceremoniously destroyed by another's hand. It felt like someone ripping out his heart.<BR><BR>  And suddenly, that void within his chest was filled with anger. And power.<BR><BR>  Snabbie reached out a hand as fury spilled into his eyes and face, all propriety forgotten. The weapon abruptly reversed course, flashing to life before it had even finished settling in his hand. In a single, fluid motion, the Jedi Hunter ran through his Consul with the shimmering blade of his own making. <BR><BR> The Consul seemed puzzled for a moment, as he stared at the Journeyman. Then, a smile appeared on his face. "Very well," Arcona's ruler managed to get out, before collapsing into shadow. <BR><BR>  Snabbie looked around, expecting the gathered Arconans to reach for him any moment now, but no such attack seemed forthcoming. Instead, the Arconae and Summit had their lightsabers still in-hand…but they appeared overall more relaxed, and some were even smiling. <BR><BR>  "Congratulations," a voice said. <BR><BR>  </I>But..no! That's impossible!<I> thought the Jedi Hunter, as one of the previously hooded figures removed said hood…only to show the face of Consul Wuntila Zratian Entar Arconae. <BR><BR>  Then, comprehension dawned. </I>Of course. A Force Wraith.<I><BR><BR>  The Consul approached him, seemingly without fear or tension. "You have learned the final lesson of the Dark Side." <BR><BR>  " It's…about power, isn't it?" Snabbie ventured. <BR><BR>  "It's </I>always<I>about power," the Consul replied, smiling slightly. "But yes. The final lesson is this: Power is never given away. It is always taken. If someone should block your path, strike him down. Even if that someone is me." <BR><BR>  The Jedi Hunter nodded, comprehension dawning. Around him, the gathered Arconans lit their weapons, one by one. Around the ziggurat itself, on lower levels, others responded in kind, until the night sky was lit by dozens of separate weapons. <BR><BR>  "So…what will it be?" Wuntila asked, bringing forth a lightsaber of his own. "Do you claim the mantle of the Dark Jedi Knight?" <BR><BR>  Snabbie understood. Nodding slowly, he lit his lightsaber and raised it high. A hundred Arconans followed suit.<BR><BR>  Triumphant and ascendant, the newly frocked Dark Jedi Knight was first to shout as a hundred sabers pierced the sky:<BR><BR>  "ARCONA INVICTA!"</I><BR><BR>  I,Timeros Caesus Entar Arconae, hereby request a promotion for Jedi Hunter Snabbie, who has fulfilled all requirements for promotion under the Dark Jedi Brotherhood's promotion guidelines, as follows:<BR><BR>  Snabbie has been a Jedi Hunter for over six weeks.<BR><BR>  Snabbie has earned an Anteian Cross for his services. <BR><BR>  Snabbie has earned a Crescent with Emerald Star for his competition activity. <BR><BR>  Snabbie has participated in the following five competitions: – A day in the life of…..according to…., Block Time, Dozen of Games – Spring 2012, Dozen of Games Round 1, First Arcona Galaxy Quest Olympaid, Dozen of Games Round 2, Dozen of Games Round 3, Shock & Awe, School’s out for summer!, Dozen of Games Round 4, Dozen of Games Round 5, Dozen of Games Round 6, Dozen of Games Round 7, Dozen of Games Round 8, Dozen of Games Round 9<BR><BR>  Snabbie has completed the following two Shadow Academy Leadership Exams: Leadership Fundamentals and Leadership Studies<BR><BR>  Snabbie has created and run the following competition: Void Squadron Trivia<BR><BR>  Snabbie has performed the following major House Task: – As assigned, checked the rosters and dossiers together against who was on the wiki page compiled a list for the Battle Team and sent it to the team leader, as well as deciding on edits that the BTL made in the flight section. <BR><BR> 

Snabbie has created and run the following additional competition:Build with Blocks <BR><BR>

Snabbie has earned the following Shadow Academy Degree: Dark Maven, Combat<BR><BR>

As Snabbie has met all the necessary qualifications, I respectfully request his promotion to Dark Jedi Knight. <BR><BR>  In darkness, <BR><BR>  DA Timeros Caesus Entar Arconae

Timeros Caesus Entar Arconae, 2012-10-21 14:56:31 UTC

For completing the Brotherhood History I exam and showing further commitment to the Brotherhood, I hereby recommend Zumoariku Ridoshik for promotion to Novice.

Exarch Methyas Pepoi L'eonheart Aedile of House Marka Ragnos, Clan Naga Sadow

Methyas L'eonheart, 2012-10-17 10:54:23 UTC

Passed the Test of Lore

Kaytanah Otarae, 2012-10-13 19:58:45 UTC

Passed the Test of Lore

Zumoariku Ridoshik, 2012-10-13 18:13:59 UTC

Passed the Test of Lore

Crona, 2012-10-12 12:10:36 UTC

Well done, Kalatosh. Welcome to the rank of Protector, crossing over the midpoint of the Journeyman ranks and earning the right to carry an armory saber. From here, the road of Knighthood grows steeper, demanding more of your focus, dedication, and strength. It will require you to continue to adapt to new challenges and opportunities as you continue to explore the Brotherhood. It will offer you the chance to ascend, to earn a warbanner and have your name and heraldry known. And if you pursue Knighthood further, I have little doubt that you avail yourself to this House and to the Brotherhood, both over the short term in the Horizons Vendetta and in the future.

Wear your saber proudly, Protector Phaa.

Master at Arms Korras, Quaestor Reith, Aedile Vorrac, and Rollmaster Solatus: I recommend the promotion of my student, Kalatosh Phaa, to the rank of Protector in light of his completion of the following tasks:

Kalatosh has * Started work on his character history on the Wiki * Passed 5 Shadow Academy courses since his last promotion: ACC Basics, Force Philosophy I, and the Sith, Obelisk, and Krath Core exams * Passed the ACC Basics exam and completed an approved character sheet * Routinely joined us in #Plagueis on IRC

OT Eiko Praetor to the Deputy Grand Master

Liam Torun-Urr, 2012-10-09 23:06:07 UTC

Passed the Test of Lore

Adrian Moony, 2012-10-09 18:50:11 UTC

Apprentice Rysh'ka Nahja has taken and passed the IRC basics exams and has fulfilled the required one basic activity. Therefore I required Rysh'ka promotion to Novice. Congrats!

-OE Teu Pepoi CNS Proconsul

Teu Buhkari Sadow, 2012-10-08 21:52:10 UTC

Ekeia admirably served as Professor of General Studies for several months while I was Praetor to the Headmaster and later Headmaster. With so much work under her belt, it was impressive to see her continue to follow the strict 72-hour-turnaround time for exam grading. It is always helpful and beneficial to have active staff, and I couldn't thank her enough for her contributions.<br><br>-Ronovi Tavisaen Dupar<br>Headmaster of the Shadow Academy<br><br>Dedication is one of the main requirements for a member to progress in the Dark Jedi Brotherhood. Dedication to seeing things through start-to-finish, dedication in being committed to a cause that you know you won't benefit from until much, much later; dedication knowing that you might not even get the very thing you hope to receive. If Dedication isn't one of Ekeia's many names, then it should be! At this point of her DB career, she is crossing over the barrier of trivial concept that 'x many CF's and x many more Crescents' are holding her back, so let's focus on the bigger picture here.<br><br>Since Ekeia first transferred into Taldryan well over a year ago in May of 2011, She has proven her worth in this club, and as a Tally with her hard work and Dedication to proving herself above most of the members in this club. Setting herself apart from those who talk the talk but don't walk the walk, this fine Taldryanite has put her full dedication to her position as Praetor to the Herald. This dedication was felt throughout all of Taldryan, especially while she was on IRC. Although keeping to her code of secrecy in regards to the projects she was working on in the Herald's office, she always made sure to keep us on our toes and ready to see what the HRLD was going to come out with next.<br><br>While Shikyo was on his Temporary Leave of Absence due to his real life commitment (and being over-seas =P), Ekeia took the reigns of the Heralds office without a single hiccup. If members did not see the news posts from Shikyo that he was on a Leave, no one would know the Herald was out of town due to the perfect transition Ekeia held the Brotherhood with.<br><br>It's always hard to put a number over a member like Ekeia to label her in terms of worth. Thankfully, there's only one of her, so it's easy to say that she is by far one of the most productive members of her (Mine, too) generation of Brotherhood members. Just going off of the Herald report' stats, Ekeia has completed an astounding 11 custom lightsaber requests and 48 warbanner requests in the past year alone. That's not mentioning all of the work she's done that Shik hasn't put in his reports. Any real leader knows how much work is put into the behind-the-scenes, and with Ekeia stepping up as stand-in Herald, I can only imagine the amount of work she put in to keep things running as smooth as they did.<br><br>At this point in her career, and with the notion that she is being evaluated for her promotion to Equite 4, one cannot simply rely on what she's done in one area of this club (And though she has done a lot for the Herald's office, and that is where she is most known for), I really do have to speak on her behalf in Taldryan, as well. Although being one of a quiet nature, Ekeia truly has shown she knows her stuff. Coming into #taldryan is no small feat - especially if you've been around the Brotherhood - you quickly learn that it's a very tough-crowd. That has never stopped Ekeia, nor do I think it ever will. Ekeia has participated in multiple events in Taldryan, ranging from fictions to IRC trivia (when it was run), to Run-Ons on and off of Vendettas. Ekeia's knowledge about Star Wars is a key factor to her success in this club, and that does nothing but help Taldryan's good-name.<br><br>Smaller medals at this point, I would hope, are mute in regards to her Equite 4 promotion, so I won't delve into that. Ekeia Iclo was a huge-hitter for Taldryan in the Great Jedi War X, and even snagged us a fantastic 2nd place in one of the events she participated in! With big-guns like Naga Sadow and Arcona to go up-against, that's a large feat, and is something that should be considered when reviewing Ekeia for her promotion to Pontifex.<br><br>There is really so much I can say about this member and the influence she has had on me, and countless others in Taldryan, and ultimately the Brotherhood. A great deal of her time is spent on her duties as Praetor to the Herald, but in doing so she is a perfect example of what a Taldryan should be.<br><br>Congratulations, Ekeia, on your promotion! You have surpassed me in rank, and with great reason! You have proven yourself as one of the Brotherhoods up-and-commers. Don't lose that, and keep to the grind!<br><br>-OE Shaz'air Taldrya<br>Former Quaestor and Aedile of House Taldryan<br><br>When writing a high level recommendation for members of the DB, some leaders have a tendency to do what is called "fluffing" the recc. Let me start by saying Ekeia makes it so it's hard not to fluff, she's just that darn good. Shikyo recently spent a good part of 2012 overseas and it was up to Keia to run the Office of Herald. I'll be honest, it was almost as if Shikyo wasn't even gone. Her ability to think on her feet and perform a Dark Council member's duties for that long alone should merit her elevation.<br><br>I can't speak much for the technical duties of her position as interim Herald, but I can name off several dozen items that she completed for Brotherhood members that look absolutely amazing. Her work is a promising glimpse of what is to come from the Herald's Office in the future, and makes us all stand on edge waiting for images of her next work. If you look at her first lightsaber concepts that she ended up commissioning, and compare them to her work now, you can see the difference between night and day. As Shikyo learned at Muz's elbow, so Ekeia has done from Shikyo. As a Praetor, I believe she performs the work of two, without seeming to skip a beat. We tend to overlook these members who are gifted with programming and graphic design, and I firmly believe Ekeia ranks among the best the Herald Office has ever seen. I'm deeply honored to put my recommendation in for her to join the last step before Elder. Congratulations.<br><br>-Taigikori Aybara<br>Justicar of the Brotherhood<br><br>I do not like to ask anything from my people that I would not do myself. Asking Ekeia Iclo to step up to the plate and fill in as Herald during my deployment from 7 DEC 2011 to 7 AUG 2012 was one of the hardest things I have had to do. During my deployment, I have read over the emails that were sent to my Gmail account, asking for assistance and inquiring about policies we have. I never had to respond to them because Ekeia was already there, providing detailed answers that assisted members and provided them with further information for the future. This told me that the information she knows regarding the Herald's Office and graphic design policies are equivalent to my own; providing me with the peace of mine that she can handle the tasks required of a potential Dark Councilor.<br><br>Since her last reward, Ekeia has designed nine lightsabers, thirty warbanners, has begun her work for our annual Herald Style Hanukkah project, as well as take the lead in providing the DB Wikipedia with images to refresh the look of our pages.Adding these duties in addition to her real life duties at school and work is absolutely astonishing to me. For being a Praetor, her work ethic and her devotion to the club goes above and beyond the call of duty. I could not ask for anything more in a Praetor and I am honored to have her on my Staff. For her tireless work ethic, unquestioning devotion to the Brotherhood, and astonishing knowledge beyond her position, I would like to recommend Ekeia Iclo for the rank of Krath Pontifex. You have more than earned the right to carry two lightsabers. Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do!<br><br>-DA Shikyo Sasuke Keibatsu<br>Herald of the Dark Jedi Brotherhood

Shikyo Keibatsu, 2012-10-07 16:03:07 UTC