Disciples of Darth Sidious:

As I watch a priceless film, I find myself convinced to follow this line of thought and report to you, my fellow members.

I am Jack's crestfallen brain.

The exhilaration, anticipation and anxiety of a major Dark Brotherhood Vendetta - the Rites of Supremacy: Second Darkness - has drained from our hearts and minds over the past two weeks. The result of this adrenaline rush disappearing has left us, seemingly, in a void of inactivity. This is a perception of truth, but not the entirety. The constant demand of time and attention for the Vendetta has disappeared; however, the need to build and carry forth with a sense of purpose has not.

That is a confusing paragraph, let me explain in laymen's terms... the Vendetta is over, but our mission remains: to be the most active, participating Clan in the Brotherhood. I will explore facets of our development in my report today, hoping that you will take an interest in each as you develop your own regime of activity.

Gaming Nights

Unique opportunities exist during the weeknights within the Brotherhood for Gamers. To afford multiple opportunities to every member, Gaming Nights/Days alternate each week either corresponding on Monday/Wednesday/Friday or Tuesday/Thursday. You can accrue Clusters of Fire (CF) for matches played or a Pendant of Blood (PoB) for being best overall on a given Gaming Night, but that is not the true reward. By playing in a single Gaming Night you become eligible for the bi-weekly Sunday Invitational Tournament (SIT).

Must be in the channel: #dbgaming

Sunday Invitational Tournament

By participating in a Gaming Night - in a minimum of six matches - you will be eligible to participate in the bi-weekly SIT. This is the pristine arena to demonstrate your skills against those of the Brotherhood. Additionally, you will have the chance to collect Clusters of Fire (CF) and 2nd Level Crescents (Ruby, Amethyst & Sapphire). The ultimate award, however, comes from SIT points that one earns personally and for their Clan. These points can be used to purchase unique items for an individual and a Clan can use these points to purchase major military assets.

Must be in the channel: #dbgaming

Inter-Club Training Event

Most commonly called ICTE, this event is hosted on Saturday's - generally starting at 12 PM EST - and place the Brotherhood in direct competition against its own members and allied Star Wars organizations. The format is unique, but it is easily discerned after several visits and fellow Brotherhood members will be more than eager to assist you as our club reaches out for friendly competition.

Must be in the channel: #outerrim

Jedi Academy Training Nights

An event exclusively held for members of Scholae Palatinae and hosted by two of our own - Rasilvenaira & Cethgus - this event is designed to integrate common techniques and strategies of the popular game known as Jedi Academy (JA) into a twelve week course to improve the skills of the best and worst of the Clan. So we, as a Clan, can stand strong during times of major competition.

Antei Combat Center

The premier arena for combat writing in the Dark Brotherhood... is not for everyone. However, for those of you whom are capable of descriptive writing - and a penchant for flair - this is an underrated arena of activity. Win or lose, completion of a battle shows grit and determination of a member to complete what they begin. A major improvement is the concise, explanative judgment results provided by Judges at the conclusion of a battle... thus, allowing for growth as a writer and ACCer.

I strongly urge each of you to use spell/grammar check before you make your submission to a battle. If you need assistance in this task, you can contact our Clan Trainer Xen'Mordin Vismorsus.

The Dark Voice

The Dark Voice (DV) is the official newsletter of the Dark Brotherhood and, generally, is released bi-monthly to the general Dark Brotherhood as the leading source of DB plot line development, intriguing articles, captivating interviews and the Grand Master's thoughts as we progress as a club. While the format does not suit every member's capability of writing, there are open positions for capable writers to assist the Tribune:Dark Voice in her pursuit to deliver a genuine, original newsletter each edition.

Monthly Topics

Once a new Tribune:Fiction has been appointed by the Grand Master, the reoccurring monthly, fictional topics will once again be available to all members of the Dark Brotherhood. These competitions range from short stories to character development to epic fiction competitions. Scholae Palatinae holds a special pride in excelling as a writing Clan and there is no higher market to display those skills than the Monthly Topics. Watch the DB News Page for more details concerning the appointment of a new Tribune and the first competitions released by the Administrator.

The Shadow Academy

The purpose of the Shadow Academy (SA) is to develop the core knowledge of the Star Wars universe and the Dark Brotherhood in the minds of our members. These courses cover a myriad of topics ranging from fictional background of one's Order to the Astronomy of the Brotherhood to technical manuals covering Grammar and HTML. While many individuals see these courses as 'filler' for one's dossier, I believe it is an integral part of developing a stronger Clan.

Clan or House Projects

Are not for everyone. There will be times when a Leader may open submissions to help aid in the development of a project they are running, but more often than not these projects will be spearheaded and completed by a single entity or close-knit group of individuals that have established a similar wavelength concerning a particular focus.

I am not discouraging anyone to present an idea for development in their respective House or Clan, but I am discouraging everyone's current belief that 'running projects is the only thing I can do' to help the Clan grow. While some projects will be green-lighted without a second thought, more often than not I will sit/deliberate/judge the merits of a program before delivering my own requirements for it to come into existence... as each project, ultimately, changes the Clan.

So when you find yourself want to help the Clan... strongly consider finding a source of activity (see above mentioned sources) that you can develop or excel in. Developing a niche is a mandatory requirement for continued success in the Dark Brotherhood past the rank of Dark Jedi Knight.

THE FIN

This is a long e-mail... and it ends dramatically... but the message remains consistent: we must grow into the most active Clan in the Dark Brotherhood. I honestly do wish I could oversee countless projects and give everyone a job or responsibility within the Clan... but that is not possible beyond the current standards and positions I have created (Primary & Auxiliary). So, when you decide to strive for excellence in the name of Scholae Palatinae... look to the many facets or develop a new initiative of your own.

The ideas that will revolutionize and change the Brotherhood will not come from its older members. Simply, we are too rooted in our old doctrine to recognize the need for change, at times. It is in the new, or next, generation that we will continue to develop and expand as a club.

OPEN DOOR POLICY

If, at any time, you feel the need to discuss the dynamics of the Clan, interpersonal conflict or anything that comes to mind... I am available to rationally engage in discourse to either calm your fears or address your concerns. This Clan is built on the premise that we are in this together... and I truly mean that from the top to the bottom.

AWOL REMINDER

The Clan is currently in the midst of an AWOL (Absent With Out Leave). An individual, personal e-mail was sent from my e-mail address ([Log in to view e-mail addresses]) to each member requesting a response to myself and our Clan Envoy, Selene d'Tana. I ask that if you have not responded, you do so by this coming Monday.

I am, your servant,

Braecen Kaeth Kunar

Consul of Clan Scholae Palatinae

Safeguarder of Sheep

Braecen Kunar (Krath Pontifex) / CON-M:MAA-GC-EP / Clan Scholae Palatinae

[GMRG: RG3-G] [PA: Elder] [ACC: CE:1]

AK / SB / GC-PoDP / SC-SoA / AC-RoF / DC-GP / GN-BL / SN / BN-BL / Cr-1D-11R-18A-20S-8E-5T-1Q / PoB-AgL / CF-PlF / DSS-AuL / SI-AuL / SoL / LS-GL / S:-2R-18Al-19D-7Dk

{SA: MVN - U:TL - U:TW - G:ATW - G:L - G:CM - G:LA - G:LP - G:LF - G:IRC - G:IRC2 - G:ICQ - G:MSN - G:AIM - G:HTML1 - G:HTML2 - G:PHP1 - G:ASP1 - G:AIC - G:MED - K:CORE - K:GS - K:POET - K:AP - K:RO - O:CORE - O: MRK - S:CORE - S:ISET - S:ESET - S:TAC - G:TS - G:AL - L:PRH}

You are not what you were born, but what you have it in yourself to be...