((Greetings Tarentum. Just a reminder, with the GJW in full swing, for the duration of the competition, all of my Clan reports will be done in character.))

Day One

VSD Corsair, Flagship of Tarentum

Antei System

The ceremony had gone according to plan, but the end of the day had not. The Dark Brotherhood had found itself under attack, and it was not going well for the Clans of the Brotherhood. Already, several ships from the other Clans had been destroyed. Tarentum, serving as the defending Clan at the time, had not been caught off guard and, so far, had fared better than most of the other Clans. There has been a temporary loss of Warlord Welshman Corsair, Aedile of Tridens and member of the Tarentae, but the intelligent and capable members of Tarentum had succeeded in freeing the Warlord from the so-called "Embrace of Pain." The Clan was now looking to pull back into the Shroud, gather it's forces, assist its allied Clan Arcona, and destroy these lethal, marauding Vong.

Sith Bloodfyre, Consul of Tarentum and member of the Tarentae, had helped oversee the withdrawal of his Clan's forces under the accomplished leadership of the Clan's Marshal and military heads, Maxamillian von Oberst-Tarentae and Doni Tzu Tarentae. The Clan was not without its wounds to heal, but had seen worse damage before. The Vong were vicious and relentless, but then, so were the Necromancers of Tarentum. Sith stood before the holonet transmitter ready to announce the members of his Clan.

"Tarentum, war has come again upon the Clans of the Brotherhood. We have finished this 'Second Darkness' exercise of the Dark Council only to find our bellies exposed to an unprovoked attack in a weak moment. Many Clans have suffered devastating blows thus far. So far, Tarentum has been able to escape most of the damage, but we have not gone unscathed. We found that our brother and Aedile of Tridens, Welshman Corsair, had been taken hostage by the Vong. However, do to the quick and skilled actions of some of our members, Welshman has been retrieved, and is already healing in the bacta tanks. I have received word from Grand Master Sarin that, for his part in rescuing Welshman, Korvyn of Tridens has been elevated to the rank of Protector by Sarin's own hand. Korvyn is to be congratulated, and oour thanks extended to him for his part in helping to rescue Welshman. I would like to personally thank all of you who worked hard to rescue Welshman, and I know his thanks are with you, as well.

"The battle is not yet complete, Tarentum. We have fallen back to regroup, and the Vong still pursue us. Do not think for one moment that we are beaten. We are not retreating. We are drawing back to prepare for our own offensive. Marshal Oberst, General Doni Tzu and other leaders from Clan Arcona have met to discuss our plan of attack, and having been there myself, I can assure you that victory is our end objective, and we can succeed in this cause. I have also been made aware that our own representatives have met with other Clans, and are working to ensure our assistance from those Clans, and our end victory against this threat of the Vong. We are not defeated. Many of you have already helped strike the initial blows of combat, and are working towards the defeat of this enemy. I ask and direct you all to continue your efforts, and fight off this threat. I have already begun to engage some of these foes myself, and I will not stand down in the face of this threat, or any other that might come to face us. Tarentum is not a Clan of cowards, but rather, a Clan of warriors and legends, and we will claim a victory over these Vong. I will personally praise the man or woman who brings me the head of a Vong, and your rewards will be infinite if and when any of you will bring me these prizes.

"Now is the time to act, Tarentum. Be prepared and help us claim victory in this war. I am sending you coordinates for our Clan's joint efforts against the Vong, and I ask and encourage you all to take part in this offensive (http://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/forum/index.php?showforum=133). The coordinates are secret, and known only to Tarentum. To access this message, enter the password (you'd know this if you were in Tarentum) and you will be authorized and permitted full entry. Make your stand there, Tarentum.

"We are also aware of other threats and places of battle. Be mindful of any opportunity to confront our enemies, the Vong or otherwise. If you have the chance, maneuver yourselves so that our enemies Clans will take the brunt of the Vong's offensive, and then finish off the Vong when they have been weakened. The only Clan that Tarentum recognizes as an ally is Clan Arcona, so if they are in need, assist them with any means possible. Be aware that locations such as (IRC channel #dbgaming) and (Antei Combat Center matches) will put you in conflict with the Vong or the other Clans, but we are strong and powerful, and we will claim victory, even should we gain minor losses on the battlefield. Do not fear. Any minor losses work towards our eventual victory, and your actions will help us far greater than inaction. We must all do our part, Tarentum. This is the time for action, and this is the hour when your names will become legend among the Clan and Brotherhood.

"War is upon us, Tarentum. Now is the time to act. Should you need assistance, alert us immediately. Korras, myself, Marshal Oberst, General Donitz, Quaestors Archean and Mune, Aediles Welshman and Windos, and all other leaders of Tarentum can and will assit you whenever you call for aid. Your Clan brothers and sisters will come to your side when you need them in battle. Masters and Apprentices fight side-by-side. Krath, Obelisk and Sith alike join the battle, and our combined powers will make us victorious. The time for action is now, Tarentum. I call you all to arms in this Great Jedi War."

The holonet transmitter stayed active for a moment longer, and then flickered out of life. The Clan returned to trying to regroup and combat the Vong offensive. The sights, sounds, and smells of battle kept everyone supremely aware that their lives would depend on their own actions, and the actions of every member of Tarentum. This truly was the time for action, and Sith Bloodfyre, Consul of Tarentum and Master of the Sith Order, had no doubt that Tarentum would answer, and rise to the challenge.

Tarentum would be victorious. It was only a matter of time now...