It is fitting that Ood plays a tree. Fitting, because I envision his presence in the Brotherhood as a massive oak: his branches extending to all the members he has helped, his roots settled across the foundation of the Brotherhood itself, and he's old... so he has lots of rings!

You cannot put a value on a seasoned member's experience and guidance. When I came back to the Brotherhood after a long hiatus, it was Ood that took the time to help me readjust and share ideas. He provided me invaluable assessments of the new systems, how technology was being implemented into Brotherhood's infrastructure to create a better experience, where the Shadow Academy was heading to help guide new and old members. A lot of veteran members could not be bothered catching up someone; too tired, too rooted in their routines, too much hassle. Ood didn't mind, he took time to catch me up on IRC (because I was outdated) before eventually moving me to Telegram where I could reach the majority of my members.

I cannot numerate what this member does in terms of competitions or reports. Ood is not a consumer of content in the Brotherhood, he is a major producer of content for every member in the Brotherhood. Watching him work with members one-on-one is amazing. He takes time to get to know people, build a personal relationship, and provide them direction that - at times - may be contrary to their current views... because it is the correct advice. He does what is right, not what is easy. And that is why he has helped every leader in Arcona from our Consul to our Battle Team Leaders be better members: sage advice, holding the course, eyes on the future. Countless conversations, hundreds of e-mails (input on Clan Arcona and House Galeres), and encouragement for our expansion (fictionally & technologically).

Thank you, Ood.

Ood is special. In all definitions of the word. One might even say eclectic, an adjective that echoes his past service much like the pitter-pattering of his tree branches surely echoes through the Shadow Academy's halls. While Arconan through and through, he lives there, and I don't doubt he'll very well haunt the place when he dies. Two years ago Headmasters and Quaestors alike were handing him a Ruby Scepter for being so utterly diligent in his Shadow Academy work, in his grading, in his respect for the school and the craft. I'd like to point out that even back then, he was hailed as not becoming a grizzled veteran, hailed for putting so much effort into something without loving it any less on any single day.

Two years later, nine in total, and believe you me, he's still doing it. His bosses and colleagues in the scholarly department will be able to expound further on the numbers and the details, but as Ood's former Aedile and current Consul, I too can tell you that he's got to be some sort of Doctor Professor Specialist Guru by this point. And yet, with months and months of various, often overlapping Shadow Academy positions and responsibilities, Ood still manages to keep up with his Clan, get active in chats, advise our members on various course-related topics, do some competitions and gaming now and again, and - surprise, surprise - earn a degree or two. He's also come to me recently with an interest in proposing some project-type work for the Clan, focused on furthering member education in certain topics using his Shadow Academy skills. I sincerely can't stress enough that this man lives and breathes to teach others. The least we can do, then, is show how much we appreciate our mentors.

Thank you, Ooddles, and congratulations on another beautifully-earned sac.