Aloha and good afternoon, Tarentum.

First off, let me express my appreciation to those of you who participated in the Three-Way Feud between Naga Sadow, Taldryan and ourselves. I don't know what the activity levels were, or the final tallies on rewards and such. Those have yet to be released, as far as I'm aware, and since I was only made AED about a week ago, I don't have access to the results, anyway. We'll have to wait for Ronovi, or Tsai, or Shaz'air to release the results for us, I guess. In any event, for whatever effort you put into it, for whatever time you put forth, thank you. I really do appreciate every effort that gets made on behalf of keeping Tarentum active, and making this a place for family, friendship, and entertainment. You are the lifeblood of Tarentum, and you are all important to our mutual success.

Fictional Updates

With the end of the Feud, I am working on fictional updates for Tarentum. I'm going to try and do something between a monthly and a quarterly update. I'd prefer monthly, to keep fiction motivated and progressive, and to help everyone see where we're at, as well as where we're going. Fiction progresses. Anyone who has ever read any kind of fictional book, or even a historical book, we now that time passes, things change, people move on. The same will be happening within Tarentum. I won't spoil everything yet. I'm going to try and have an update finalized and put out within the next week, if at all possible, but I'll say that, at the latest, March 1 should start out monthly (or quarterly) updates. If you have a preference on how often updates should happen, shout out. I always love hearing feedback and opinions from the House.

However, I will give a teaser. Please realize, this is rough, and may be edited for flow, language and so on, but here's a sneak preview:

"What exactly is your intention for the future, Tavisaen?" Oberst glared defiantly at the House's Quaestor. It was no secret among Tarentum that the Marshal and his successor had little-to-no relations at present. While the two may have once been allies while serving as a Summit, the two were now rather tense in their dealings with each other. "We focus upon our Journeymen as we always have. And yet, though you claim we are strong, we cannot ignore what is happening within Yridia. Your puppet government is losing power. The Yridians are twisting what beliefs we may have been able to instill in them. Tides of change are upon us. We cannot ignore them."

"Oberst speaks the truth," Anshar's voice echoed, though he had not risen his voice above a temperate tone. "There is unrest throughout the system, not just here upon Yridia II. In our baronies, our colonies, and throughout the system, the government is losing hold. While they will not admit it, Yridia IX is under sway of the syndicates once more. The Asylum remains a stronghold, but all power has been unofficially stripped of the public facade. Everyone on that planet recognizes the criminal hand as the controlling force."

"And here," Archean continued, "people are so caught up in the grief and delusions of the destruction as being called from heaven, that cults and new religious zealots are springing up everywhere. People who still believe in the Sith King as their lord and master are now twisting Lord Khyron into some deified figure who has risen himself to a higher plane, and will manipulate their lives with godly powers and rituals that are becoming harder to fathom. Even the blind can see that the situation in Yridia is changing. Things are not as we remember from years past."

"Nor even months past," Bloodfyre's head nodded, as he mimicked the thoughts of his blind friend and peer.

Tension and change are on the horizon. We are Darksiders, and there is always a certain level of rage and frustration, even between each other, that threatens to destroy everything. Tarentum has been hit hard by the Rakghoul plague. Powers that Tarentum was given control over were used against us. The system seems to be responding to that. How will it affect us as a House? How will it affect us as individuals? Tune in and find out. Better yet, tune in, find out what I have in store for our first update post-Rakghoul Plague, and then dive in and help press the fiction forward with me.

Functional Updates

There has been discussion going on among the leadership and veterans of the House. We are as dedicated to the growth of the House and motivation and promotion of our Journeymen as ever. Everyone at, or above the rank of DJK recognizes our obligation to new and shorter-tenured members, and we want to do everything we can to help provoke and enhance the entertainment value of Tarentum. Additionally, with the fictional changes on the horizon, we also have functional changes on the horizon, as well. We are working on revamping and reviving the Master-Student Program, and trying to enhance what has been there to make it more adaptable, and capable of meeting the needs of anyone who needs help, whether it be in a one-on-one setting with a single Master and Apprentice, or whether it be in a group environment with a Journeymen Team. Both projects will encompass our training programs, and what we can do to help make new and newer members more successful, and help you feel like sticking around.

We have several new members, and I have been pleased at the activity you are all showing. Additionally, we have some returning members, as well. Kazarelth Talismarr and Tlaloc Elols have returned from the Rogues. All of you who have recently joined, or returned to Tarentum, please know that I appreciate and welcome your presence to the House. If you need anything, please let me know. I try to keep up with emails as much as possible, so you can generally expect a response to any emails within 12-24 hours; usually, it'll be 12 or less, but when I'm on shift (I'm a Paramedic, I do 24-hour shifts) I may be slower, but I will still return emails as quickly as possible. We also communicate heavily via IRC, on the Undernet in channel #tarentum. Please, make use of it, come join us. If you need help getting on the Undernet, hit "Reply to All" to this email, and either myself or another experienced member will help provide directions with how to access IRC's Undernet.

I'll finish that report there. There's enough going on, I think I could write a report each day about that size, and still fill volumes. Right now, some of it is in project mode, some of it is simply waiting for "okays" from above, and some of it is still just crazy ideas in my head waiting to burst out all over the places for your entertainment and enjoyment. There is a lot in the works. If you need help, Ronovi is on Leave for a few days, but myself and Dralin are available, and anyone with the last name of "Tarentae" is an experienced, tenured member who is always happy to help. Feel free to hit any of us up for help, and we'd be glad to assist you.

Let's make this an awesome week, Tarentum. Have a great weekend, and be ready to kick it in gear when I start getting fictional updates going (for you writers). For the gamers, we have gaming projects in motion, including (another teaser) regular gaming activities in the works with Arcona. I'm working on getting that all worked out with their fine House Summit, as well. We have a lot of gamers who are ready to break out and have some fun. Get in #tarentum and start talking, and you'll be surprised how many people might be looking for a match. ;) Have a great one, ladies and gents!

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-DJM Sith Bloodfyre-Tarentae (Sith)/AED/Tarentum Grand Chamberlain of Tarentum Fleet Admiral of Tarentum The Ghost Dragon Bearer of the infinite kick assness Wielder of the holy keg of f**k you

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