Greetings all,

I knew I forgot to add some things to my report. :)

Here is a list of issues that are already being addressed with the Clan and Order Powers. Do remember, that the DC, Consuls and ProConsuls have already gone through this with a fine-toothed comb. They had a lot to say. So here's some of it and my answers to it.

Issue: I've been in the DB 5 years and can't reach any more than the 3rd Echelon of powers.

Answer: In many cases, this was done on purpose. The entire goal of this project was not to just reward people that earn medals, but encourage activity in the DB, encourage the awarding of rarer medals and to give people things to shoot for. Even I don't have the medals necessary to get very far in this. But that gives me something to work for, and when I finally get that damn fifth Dark Cross, it will be all the better because I needed it for a power. Even older members need something to work toward.

Issue: I don't have any SIs, DSSs, LSSs etc. Why the hell would you make those medals so important.

Answer: We put a focus on some medals that aren't common to encourage some new activities in the DB. The SI, LSS, and DSS have all been adjusted since we started this to allow more options to get them. The SI can now be earned through recruitment activities, not just getting a member. The LSS can be gained through winning or running trivia in any unit of the DB. For the DSS we are opening a new submission portion for the DV. The key here is the SI, though. Our goal is to foster growth in the DB through development of characters. In order to go far in this system, you need to put some time into bringing new blood into the DB. It's intended to make people work. If you don't want to, well, then that's fine. You just won't get to use the cool powers.

Issue: Why is the mission design medal in there?

Answer: This was brought up in our discussions and wil be taken care of. For now we will probably make an alternate path to it, such as taking a mission design SA course, but there are other options on the table.

Issue: Why the hell is this so complicated?

Answer: Because we can. This is going to be programmed into the website. Once you get the basics, you'll never need to be confused by it again. We will have a part of the new website where you can look to see what the requirements are to get to the next level from where you are. It won't be hard. As for the names of the echelons and strata and such. meh -- we like it with flavor. Calling them "steps" or levels is just no fun. It's not confusing once you learn what the terms mean.

Issue: Why is it that only like 2 people in the DB qualify for the higher Clan Powers

Answer: We're working out a solution to this. I think the requirements are a bit hard there now. We are developing some benchmark tests for this. There are certain people who we think should definately have the highest level of clan powers (Trev, BF, Mav etc. and some of the older members that have been around forever). We are going to look at where those people are, and adjust the time and position reuirements to make them a bit more attainable.

Issue: When do we get to see the specific powers?

Answer: I will be updating the DSC within the next two weeks with a description of the system and an overview of what each clan has for powers. For the specific powers, we had some balance issues to work out to keep it fair between clans. We are working diligently on these issues and will be releasing the full list ASAP. In the meantime, you can contact your Consul for the rough details.

Issue: So the point of this is to make me to work to get fictional powers that don't really do much right now outside of fiction.

Answer: If you want to look at it that way, then yes. You can always choose not to participate. This is here to enhance characters, and well, if you want your character to be a lazy pussy without some cool powers, then, by all means. :)

That's what I can think of for now. I may post more later.

Jac