6 September 2009

Headmaster Report #30

_Shadow Academy

Lyspair_

The Dark Vault sat in a deep, dark location, meters beneath the main halls of the Shadow Academy on the moon of Lyspair, orbiting the seat of the Dark Jedi Brotherhood, Antei. It was undetectable by even the most advanced equipment, protected not just by technology, but by the mysterious energy that surrounded the moon. It had been left untouched, undiscovered, by the Yuuzhan Vong who inhabited the planetoid for nearly three years, and when the Shadow Academy had been rebuilt, the Grand Master and Headmaster and personally overseen the fortifications placed around the entrance to the Vault.

The various rooms and chambers that made up the Dark Vault travelled for an unknown distance to the Headmaster. It was divided into five sectors, each with a different security level. Average members passing through the halls of the Academy could access the first level, while higher levels of leaders could delve into the second and third levels. These first three levels were largely digitalized, a precaution taken after they had been forced into Exile. The remaining two, however, still held the ancient texts and artifacts that gave the Vault its aura. Aabsdu could openly access the fourth, but even he was denied entrance into the deepest rooms, where unknown power rested, waiting.

It was a spectacular place. Often the newly christened Dark Side Adept would meditate here, letting the dark side flow through him, trying to unlock new levels within himself and the Shadow Academy. Depending on the day, he would stay for minutes or hours. During the building of their new Academy, he had even had his main office modified so as to offer him a direct route to the Vault. It was his place of peace, if peace was the right word for the power that lay there.

He stood and prepared to return to his office. Months had passed since the Brotherhood's forces had defeated Jedi Master Omancor Crask and reclaimed the system that was rightfully theirs, but still the repercussions of what of happened were being felt. Much of Antei had been ransacked, and the Shadow Academy had been found in ruins. Aabsdu listened as the various locks and mechanisms, not all of which were mechanical, bolted the Dark Vault behind him. Ahead lay an era of Headmaster Dupar, a new Shadow Academy, a new Lyspair, but behind lay something more ancient and powerful than he could imagine. A dark presence forever hovering over their shoulders.

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News

--It's a really slow time right now, for the DB and for the Shadow Academy. Taig and I both started back to school in August, so that entire month was incredibly busy. We're still keeping up with degrees and all other emails (thanks to Apple that we both have iPhones), so things are still moving, just at a slower pace. We've still got projects in development, however. On another note, the new system of Professors and Docents is working out extremely well, and we have had very few exams sit in the que for long periods of time, especially for courses placed in Departments. Each of our Professors is also working on various updates and new plans for their fields, so stay tuned for that stuff. Oh, one more thing, whenever you send an email to me, always always always include Taig on the email. This is doubly important with degree requests, since sometimes he can get to them before me.

--One of the degrees offered by the Academy is the Dark Sage - Writing degree, but there's only one way to earn it: you must take and pass Oberst's three-month long writing course. It only happens twice a year, but guess what? It's that time of the year! Oberst has agreed to run the course from October 4 through December 14, so check your calendar to make sure those dates are good, and get ready to start signing up (wait until Oberst makes a post to start emailing him however). Word of warning, the course is intense, so don't go into it without the dedication to finish it.

--The world is coming to rely more and more upon the internet. It is becoming the center of our society, but that new society would not exist is not for those that build that amazing medium of the world wide web. These coders are all well-versed in a common language of programming, but such knowledge is something that gets one very far very quickly in the Dark Brotherhood. This is why the Shadow Academy is pushing more and more to create more advanced and rigorous programming courses. The first step in that direction, however, is the release of a brand new Dark Side Degree: the Dark Maven - Programming degree, now available!

To earn this degree, you must pass both HTML Basics and HTML Advanced, as well as have created a basic website using HTML skills. For the practical portion of the degree, the website, we are looking for the following features: basic tables, a link to your DB dossier, a link to at least three external sites, at least one imbedded image, and some form of DB-related content. We are not looking for advanced features, just a basic HTML web page. If you think you have the qualifications for this degree, email your request to Taig and I.

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Projects

--Each of our Departments is working on various rewrites/revamps of courses, as well as some new courses. There's a new clan course, writing course, and Wiki course all ready to release, we're just spreading things out, so look for those in the coming months. Combat Tactics is also coming, finally, and with it a new degree. Things are busy, but stuff is still happening.

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Important Links

--SA Website

--SA Degree Requirements

--SA Forums

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Summary

• Oberst's Dark Sage - Writing course comes back in October!

• Dark Maven - Programming released!

Dark Side Adept Aabsdu di Plagia Dupar

Headmaster of the Brotherhood