I’ve long been honored to serve with Zakath within the Nighthawk since it’s inception and within Galeres for even longer. He has always been a wealth of knowledge for members to use in receiving feedback for projects, ideas, characters and more. More recently he has taken this a step further by introducing a new type of competition to allow members to delve into the history of what events made their characters into what they are.

While Zakath never served as the Battleteam Leader or Sergeant of the Nighthawk, fictionally the character served as the Chief of Security, third in command so to speak of the Battleteam. In his time as a member of the Battleteam, Zakath helped develop several elements of the team, including portions of the Nighthawks that would later become part of the DJB Wiki - staff, crew and assisting other members in creating their place on the ship.

For your tireless efforts as part of the Nighthawk and part of House Galeres, Zakath it’s our honor to present you with the Grand Cross of the Darkside and wish you the best in your new role.

Thank you
Uji Tameike
Aedile of House Galeres

Well it’s about bloody time, isn’t it mate?

When I took over as Battleteam Leader of the Nighthawk back in June of this year Zakath was one of the first people I really noticed. He was a constant presence, always available to bounce ideas off of and never short on speaking his mind. I like to think that his constant presence and ability to engage other members of the team is one of the reasons Nighthawk manages to be such an impressive unit activity wise.

It’s hard for me to list or cite all of the ways Zakath has helped me, helped his fellow members. His amazing return to activity has already been recognized by my betters multiple times, and that activity is impressive and awesome. But what impresses me is that he’s ready to help out his fellows at the drop of a hat, as shown in his recent departure from a team he’s helped nurture into an outstanding unit, to join one that needed someone with his experience and knowledge.

Ninj’s ability to exchange ideas, encourage participation, and generally be an all around great voice of reason make him one of the reasons Arcona is such a great place to be. I can wholeheartedly state that he’s among the reasons I enjoy myself on a daily basis in this Club, and I’m happy to help show the Clan’s appreciation with this Grand Cross.

About bloody time indeed, good job Zakath, you earned this.

Kordath Bleu
Rollmaster, Arcona

This guy. Dan recently has been putting most of us to shame with his newfound energy of an 11-year old kid with coffee and a six-pack of Mountain Dew on Halloween Night. But in all seriousness, he’s been doing a crazy amount of things. His activity has skyrocketed, and he has been a huge part of all of Galeras and Arcona. His recent promotion and plethora of awards are proof of that. Outside of that, he has been a great help within the Nighthawk crew, before he left and after. Continuing his activity with the Nighthawk Run-On, and making sure that he keeps his friends that are still aboard the Nighthawk, motivated and active. He makes my job look easy, and for that I believe his definitely deserving of this award. Thank you for all that you have done, and are doing! Congratulations, Z!

Rulvak Qurroc BTL of Battle Team Nighthawk

Few things are more inspiring than to see a member truly shed their reservations, spread their metaphorical, pixely wings, and soar. While the man — lizard? — we bring before you today has no such feathers, he does have spirit, drive, and an incontrovertible will to improve himself and others around him. While his House leaders will talk stats, it is this attitude and effort that I wish to highlight.

Zakath — also called Ninj or Dan — is one of our older Equite members that did grand things in his time, from competing to leadership, before fading back a bit. Many of our clubmates of similar caliber have heard this story and know friends like these, who made some waves at some point and then settled in, content. Rarer, then, are the ones that reemerge, and do so with such a complete and total revolution. Zakath has been riotous in is activity over the last five months, but especially so in particular since took an interest in joining as one of the first mentees in our Mentorship Program. He immediately began participating in slews of competitions, trying his hand at writing and gaming and branching out to explore graphics, poetry, and trivia. He has completed 55 competitions in these last months alone, and while that volume is indeed astounding, it’s not where he stopped.

Zakath also wanted to become a producer and executor, not just a participator, and so went on to begin gathering ideas for competitions, gauging his clanmate’s wants and interests, and responding to their feedback. He has now finalized one new competition while reviewing and giving feedback on others (i.e. First Encounter: The Force, A Verse for the Hawk) as a practice exercise to better create more content. Furthermore, when his fellow House found itself in need of some new leaders, Zakath stepped eagerly up and took on the mantel of Battleteam Sergeant. Though it’s only been a short time, twelve days, his energy and developmental plans are nonetheless incredible, as well as his involvement in engaging his new members, planning team events with his Battleteam leader, and fictionally expanding the team itself.

A Grand Cross is awarded for outstanding caliber and exemplary work as a paragon amongst peers. I can think of few who match the description as well, now, as Zakath. Thank you for all your contributions, and, as ever, congratulations.

Atyiru Caesura Entar

Consul of Clan Arcona