Beneath this mask there is more than flesh.

Gunpowder

ARCONANS! HAVE YOU HEARD THE CRY OF WAR?!?!

Wellllll you shouldn’t have, because we’re not...actually...having it.

Not as planned, anyway. As you all will have heard by now, whether through Telegram #AsktheGM whispers or because you OBVIOUSLY READ THE ADDRESS HE SENT OUT TODAY, our dear Grand Master has elected to postpone the next Great Jedi War in order to allow us to enjoy the release of Episode VII and enjoy the holiday season without stress on leaders or members.

Instead, come December, there will be a relaxed, low-key event run across the Brotherhood. Things like Clan honorifics and fleet points won’t be rewarded, but we’ll get some cool trinkets from the Herald’s office and other awards of the like. Expect events like specialized gaming, a Run-On, graphics, and the like.

Beyond that very important GJW announcement, there were several other critical (or at least very interesting) matters addressed, including a trophy system, some ACC badassery, new-Antei, and more. I absolutely demand highly suggest you read the GM’s email, but just in case, here is a TL;DR, courtesy of one of your neighborhood Aediles, Terran/Vic (thank you, even if I understand NONE of these references):

1. The GJW has been postponed indefinitely on account of no other Clan having a chance at winning.
2. Ceiling Jac is watching - and he's working on some shiny new night vision goggles.
3. The DJB Trophy System - We heard you like shinies, so we got you shinies for your shinies so you can earn shinies as you earn shinies.
4. Grand Master's Invitation - It's going to be just like this, but with lightsabers.
5. Work is progressing on the new non-Antei. While details are scarce, the GM did confirm that the Clans will not be forced to occupy a single planet or system.
6. Equite Promotion Requirements (specifically, Time in Grade) have been significantly reduced and leadership requirements have been clarified.
7. Don't Be a Menace to South central While Drinking Your Juice on Telegram. It's not secure. People will rat you out.
8. No one likes clones.

Treason

HEY. You. Yes, you. You know who you are. Look. There’s glitter. Now pay attention.

In perhaps even bigger news, the MAA released a momentous report tonight that changed the Time in Rank requirements for Equites. What does that mean?

• EQ1: 2 months minimum; 4 months average
• EQ2: 4 months minimum; 6 months average
• EQ3: 6 months minimum; 12 months average; 3 months of CON-level leadership or equivalent
• EQ4: 8 months minimum; 16 months average; 6 months of CON-level leadership or equivalent

Note that the Promotion Guidelines outline equivalents for Consul-level leadership. The above requirements don’t mean that you can’t get higher than EQ2 if you’re not a Consul — but some level of service or leadership in any of the club’s official positions would be needed. Please refer to the wiki page above for clarification!

Previously, according to Aabs, ”the standard member would need to be active for 40 months to go from JM4 to EQ4. Now, a regularly active member can go from JM4 to EQ4 in as few as 20 months and on average between 25-38 months.” That's an extremely significant change. If ever you've felt some of those Equite ranks were impossible, take comfort now that they can be achieved a little quicker.

It MUST be remembered, however, that only the hard, bare minimum Time in Rank requirements have changed. The workload has not. You still need to be your amazing, active, splendorous little selves that make me so damn proud to be your Consul every single day. Do that, and you know all of us on your summit will be running to the MAA's door with recommendations and grand words aplenty. We love you. We want to brag about you until people are utterly sick of us.

Give us something to brag about, my lovelies.Set your eyes on a goal. Make a plan. Work toward it. Achieve victory. Have fun. And know, always, that you are Arconan, and I am proud of all you do. Believe it!

and Plot

Finally, a few other Brotherhood-related notes! Last week, we celebrated one of our two annual holidays, the Day of the Fox. Much cheering and celebration was had, but most notably…

Every single Clanned member received a Seal of Loyalty! Congratulations, everyone, on this sweeping movement. Congratulations, indeed, to all of us, for being a member of this family.

However, the goodies didn’t stop there! Our esteemed Herald has also released a Day of the Fox: Herald Giveaway, a competition for anyone to create a set of robes, an accessory, and a weapon that could potentially be created! Artistic skill is not the determining factor here. The whole Herald’s office is looking for ideas and Star Warsy goodness, so go check it out!

Also, there’s some job openings floating around! Plagueis has extended their search for Quaestor applications until next week. If you’re interested, check it out.

Beneath this mask there is an idea...

I know of no reason why the Gunpowder Treason

Now, my lovelies, just because the Brotherhood at large does not mean we Arconans aren’t busy ourselves. I’ve witnessed scores of competitive spirit, gaming domination (#ARCCOUhype!), and holiday cheer all around these last weeks, and it’s been a pure delight.

In case you missed it, we’ve recently wrapped up the hiring of a new, creepy af wonderful Rollmaster in dear Kordath Bleu d’Tana and had Rulvak Qurroc step up as Nighthawk’s newest Battleteam leader. Welcome to both of them to the team, and all the best to their charges. ;P

Meanwhile, following the Fall of Scepter wrap up, a slew of Halloween competitions took the stage. Thanks to Braecen, I want to remind you all of some of the incredibly statistics we saw for the event:

• 177 submissions from 33 unique participants across all 10 competitions
• Every competition had double digit participation
• Members with ten (10) submissions: Mako Henymory, K'tana, Zakath, Celahir, Marick Arconae, Timeros Caesus Entar Arconae
• Members with nine (9) submissions: Ernordeth Puer-Irae
• Members with eight (8) submissions: Kordath Bleu d'Tana

Congrats to Wally/Marick and Celahir on their salacious, bromance-tastic 3rd place tie, to Zakath/Ninj on his 2nd place score, and to Timeros on ultimately ataining first place! (You know, with two Elders in that line up, this would be an excellent opportunity to joke about Halloween making the skeletons dance...)

The closing of the event does leave us with a bit of freetime, however, before December hits. Some of you darlings asked if we had any more Clan events or the like planned, or if we’d be waiting now that there won’t be a War. I’ll answer that more further down, but suffice to say for now, our plan is to provide you all with a couple fun, regular gaming/fiction/trivia competitions for the time being.

However, that doesn’t mean we don’t have some fictional plans coming up! Esca and I decided that he would be releasing midmonthly Proconsul reports in between these Consul reports, and there you will see some featured competitions, various project information, updates, interviews, and other such goodies...but especially, fictions. Look out, very soon, for a Clan fiction that will detail our reaction to the recent “Undesirable” purges, the introduction of the Inquisitorius, and the actions of our (fictionally) tyrannical Grand Master...

Should ever be forgot.

Speaking of competitions, while Esca will be highlighting several soon, I wanted to draw your attention to one in particular, as this competition is arriving tomorrow. We would like to offer a spotlight to Lonewolf’s weekend PvP event, From Dusk to Dusk II.

As its creator describes: ”There is no better feeling than challenging your Brothers and Sisters to a fight within the Clan. Whose heart is darker? Whose saber is quicker? Who’s going to reign this weekend? The only way to answer is to take part in "From Dusk to Dusk"!

And ideas are bulletproof.

• GM: the Day of the Fox
• Herald Report #8: Who Ya Gonna Call?
• Herald Update: Avatars
• MAA Report: The Clock is Ticking
• Voice Report #9
• FIST: Gaming Update #44
• FIST: Battlefront App
• Shadow Academy Update #9 - Telegram
• Shadow Academy Update #10 - Fist-o-Matic
• Seneschal Report - September
• Combat Master Report #6: Rivalries Results and More!
• Wiki Tribune Report #5 ...featuring the Shadow Lady?
• Odan-Urr Consul/Proconsul Report #1 (Oh myyy)
• Qel-Droma October Report
• Galeres October Aedile Report
• Nighthawk Report 001
• Soulfire Report: More competitions
• Shadow Gate Report #6
• Tyrant Sword Report #3: We’re baaaaack!

Recognition

You know what I was saying above about you all doing things to make us brag to the MAA office? This is what that looks like. LOOK at this list, my darling dears. Look, and give yourselves and your clanmates a goddamn hoorah.

You’ve all earned it. Thank you.

Promotions!

• Rulvak to Equite 1!
• Celevon to Equite 3!
• Celahir to Equite 3!

Awards!

• Ernordeth received an Amethyst Kukri!
• Ood received a Sapphire Blade!
• Uji received a Grand Cross!
• Arcia received a Grand Cross!
• Nashiro received a Steel Cross!
• Mks received a Steel Cross!
• Kordath received a Steel Cross and an Anteain Cross!
• Rulvak received a Steel Cross!
• Atyiru received an Anteian Cross!
• Rhiann received an Anteian Cross!
• Riverche received an Anteian Cross!
• Rayze received an Anteian Cross!
• Sashar received a Dark Cross!
• Celahir received a Dark Cross and an Anteian Cross!
• Kaiburr received a Dark Cross and an Anteian Cross!
• Mac received a Dark Cross!

In The Land of Melons

As stated above, the Land of Melons has been relocated! Keep your eyes peeled this weekend for a new report scheduled in between Consul reports! Projects! Interviews! Fictions! Oh my!

The Adventures of Atty and Arcy...a.k.a. Ask the A-Team

Ninj asks, Are you planning a mental breakdown for Arcia at some point in your character arc that she'll eventually grow stronger from?

• Arcy: Well, Arcia is typically a very composed woman. She doesn’t have many visible “faults” or anything that would cause her to be overwhelmed and/or stressed. So with knowing just that, as well as having no known family to speak of, I don’t think there would be any reason to go in that direction. HOWEVER! We don’t know just that. Recently Atty and I had an ACC battle that sort of goes into something more with “Arcia’s” background. This situation could definitely be an “in” to go towards a potential mental breakdown which would be really fun to write. Go read the battle here for some additional information!

Ernor asks, #asktheatty is there a fictional reason arconans might have conflict between each other right now?

• Atty: Unless you want to go in for the typical bout of backstabbing Sithery, or argue which color to paint the ashes of SCEPTER and who gets the leftover booze from Halloween...not really. Mikey makes a good point, that really the biggest possible division right now is whether you’re desirable or undesirable to the GM...and to your Clanmates. Of course, Atty loves everyone equally and will [redacted] with a [redacted] [redacted] [redacted] if any one of you so much as [redacted] thinks about turning on one another, or ANYTHING other than [redacted] sunshine and friendship. :D
• Arcy: This would depend on if various members within Arcona support the extermination of the “lesser species” or if they were against it. I could see conflict between the two groups. I’m sure there could be other methods of conflict as well, but we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.

Skar asks, What do you plan on doing for pre war prep

• Atty: Ideally, I’d like to really get some event-specific training going that we could tie into our beautifully budding Post-DJK Mentorship Program (which Esca will talk to you more about this weekend). To me, this means things like “how to write for db fiction competitions”, possibly grammar studies, small graphics tutorials both traditional and digital, and various gaming nights/mornings. We’ve already had some rumblings about organizing Jedi Academy training parties/gaming days, and I’m excited for as much. In general, otherwise, enjoy yourselves and stay active but unstressed now. Come the New Year is when we really prepare for War. ;)

Wally asks, #AskTheAtty: What can I do to make you watch the Lego Movie?

• Atty: Literally do all my school/db/other IRL work for me. :P (I’ll suggest we watch it with the family when I go back to visit my mom for Christmas).
• Arcy: Send me booze. Or convince Miya.

Kat asks, #AsktheAtty Do you like movies like this? Have you see this?

• Atty: I have not seen this nor do I really know the “type” of movie, but I’m open to trying them. :D
• Arcy: I love those types of movies. Especially the ones that delve into the culture a little, even if a bit stretched.

Donny asks, @AttyDJB #AsktheAtty - What is the next upcoming conflict/event fictionally for the Clan? Or are we awaiting the next Club Event to decide after the changes take place?

• Atty: As I touched on above, right now we want to stay low-key, absorb whatever content Episode VII brings our way, and adapt to that and our eventual system relocation before we do anything major. However, life passes you by if you wait for it to happen, and we’re not without plans. We’ve got our eyes on a little bit of rebellion and a little bit of revolution in reaction to the Undesirables/Inquisitorius events, which might even include our allies and others, if our fictional plotting and planning comes to fruition. Check out the fiction coming up in Esca’s report for a first taste.

Ernor asks, #asktheatty if you could ask atty anything what would it be?

• Atty: This might be a more serious and long winded answer than you’d expect, but I’ve given it some real thought before, so here you go. I’d ask her how to be a kinder person, how to see the world without hate. We all tend to project certain bits of ourselves into our characters, and in some respects of her personality and behavior, Atty is what I would like to be. I’m not her, but I sometimes wish I could be as nice and sweet as I’m able to write her being despite whatever crap comes her way. But, I’m regular old human me, and I’m prone to getting really angry at people, disliking people, even allowing myself to really begrudge them on rare occasion even though I try to treat everyone well. Thing is, I don’t like that. I don’t like the feeling. I dislike being angry or bitter towards others. I want to see the best in everybody and be all rainbow and sunshine and smiles to everyone — but that’s not always the case, and it’s an uphill battle to work for that more positive attitude. So, I guess I’d ask Atty how to do it, how to be better at it, were I able to ask her anything.
• Arcy: #AsktheAtty - What sort of drugs are you on? Average person can only be so sunshine and rainbows. :|
• Atty: <3 that’s my Pecan.

Turel asks, #AsktheAtty - What is one piece of leadership advice you would give to your past self (either when you became CON or earlier) based on something you've learned/developed over the past 9ish months as CON?

• Atty: Hah. Hahahah. Hah. Oh, god. What would I tell my past self? Learn. Smack. Time. Smack. Management. Smack. Skills. Smack, smack, smack. Which, would look something like this:
• 

Ninj asks, #asktheatty How do you view your relationship with Nath when you're a light side character, and she's... well a full blown psychopath. It's not exactly the best kinds of people to co-exist, let alone consider each other sisters.

• Atty: The short answer is that Atty loves those around her unconditionally — not just for any good aspect of their character, even if they are a psychopath, but also because of those very psychopathic tendencies. Don’t get me wrong, she doesn’t approve of things like murder, torture, and mayhem, and will protest them or prevent them if it is in her power and will to do so. However, the people themselves? She cares for them regardless.
• Nath, in particular, is very precious to Atty. Nath saved Atty’s when she was dying some years before Atty joined the Brotherhood, and gave her a place to go when she was lost in life later on (that is, the Brotherhood). Nath will always be Atty’s first friend here and a sister figure, and Atty will always care about her and treat her like she’s warm and fuzzy and made of cuddles instead of pointy horns and pointy torture instruments.

Wally asks, #AskTheAtty: http://wallpaperswide.com/download/fluffy_kittens_2-wallpaper-1280x800.jpg About how many floofs do these little guys weigh altogether?

• Atty: Four. Four floofs.

Pel asks, #asktheatty Ever think of going Dark and joining Tarentum?

• Atty: Hehe, much as a I love Tar (shoutout! <3) the answer would be no, in this case. I’ve never thought of it. Furthermore, I’m a #lightieforlyfe, or at least Atty is (even if I’m classified as Gray). Even if I eventually switched characters, I would go Mundane Mercenary (or, if that changed, a more likely than not Gray Jedi.)

Wally asks, #AskTheAtty @AttyDJB Where does the moon go when it is no longer in our sky?

• Atty: Only a Master Namer could know such things, and I am but an E’lir (a See-er).

Wally asks, #AskTheAtty @AttyDJB: Now almost in the job a few months short of a year: What is the most challenging part of being Shadow Lady, and what is your favorite part about it?

• Atty: The most challenging part of being Shadow Lady, for me, is the time management (see above: smacking myself). There’s a lot to be done, and much of it rests on prioritizing and delegating tasks while completing my own, and it’s still something I’m learning. There’s lots of other things I could name (mediation, managing a summit of such stellar, if strong, personalities, leading the family that makes up the First Clan...) but that is definitely my biggest challenge.
• My favorite part about the job? You. All of you. Straight up, point blank. I say that a lot, not just multiple times in these reports, but a lot of the time on random days on Telegram or in email to all of you. The thing is, I don’t mean it like something flippant and casual. It’s not just your daily “hey, how’s a going?” that isn’t really asking anything, that doesn’t mean anything. I mean what I say. I love you guys. I love this family. You’re all important to me, and being able to stand up for all of you is one of those precious experiences in my young life. So...thanks for letting me be your Lady Billowy Cloak.

Vyr asks, K. Serious Herald related questions, considering both your skills. @EscaDJB Do you have ambitions to become Praetor to the Herald? @AttyDJB Do you have ambitions to be in the Herald staff in the future? Does that type of art/gfx interest you at all?

• Atty: I can imagine enjoying a Herald staff position in the future, if I feel I’ve got the time to do the job right. It’s not my typical kind of art, but I’d be interested in learning, and those sorts of designs can be cool and fun, as the latest Herald comp has attested.
• Arcy: Ever since joining the staff, I have had more fun creating graphics for the Brotherhood than probably any other time over the past 12 years. When it comes to Praetor, I would be lying if I said I didn’t have ambitions, but that comes with time and practice/training. If the day comes where I would be a suitable candidate for the position, I would not turn it away. I look to better myself in the graphics field and that is a fantastic step towards completing that goal. Bettering my skills means better goodies for the club!

Ninj asks, #asktheatty What do you feel were successes in AHHN, and what did you think could be improved upon based on the participation ratio and general response you've seen so far. Can be a report answer. :)

• Atty: I felt like one of the biggest successes was the communal hype and enjoyment of the event. Everybody seemed to like sharing their entries, everyone was engaging each other, and everybody seemed to have fun. We didn’t hear complaining over stressful events, we saw people laughing and joking, flashgaming and drawing on pumpkins with Sharpie. That was fantastic. As for what I think can be improved (aside from reaching that 200 goal next time!) I’d say we could have stood to sell the event a little more beforehand (we did a lot of selling during). Any other improvements, to me, would honestly be minute things, like vetting flash games or being more specific in certain grading criteria for the sake of feedback, etc. I was really very pleased overall (though we can always strive for better).

Ninj also asks, asktheatty will you be joining us in the NH RO at some point? :D

• Atty: If I can find the time once the weekend hits, most definitely yes! I’m super swamped right now because the last weeks around Thanksgiving, before finals, are apparently the best time to have six projects and four more exams. But, in my spare time, I’d love to come along as one of the Fade characters and bring y’all some back up.
• Arcy: If someone offers a suitable write in that isn’t forced, I could probably offer a post or two myself. I dreadfully miss writing that ship.

Ninj also also asks, In all seriousness though, Are we planning to continue the Perdition storyline from Fall of Spectre anytime soon, or will we hold off til after the Vendetta coming up in January? #asktheatty

• Atty: As stated...in one or two places here, the vendetta/event, while not a War yet and meant to be low-key, is still a nice milestone and a big priority, especially because these last two months have been competition-heavy for us. However, I can certainly see Perdition continuing to trouble us (if y’all NH people leave any for us in your RO). They’re a cool, persistent villain in my headcanon.

Ninj yet again (<3) asks, #asktheatty Will you forgive me for literally booting Kordath off the Nighthawk for getting drunk on the eve of his ascension to RM? :P

• Atty: I would encourage you. :P
• Arcy: Approved.

Kord asks, #asktheatty in the same vein as Dan's question, do you forgive me for having you proof my entry to said comp?

• Atty: There are a lot of things I will never forgive you for making me read, Bleu, and this is one of them. :P

Mako asks, #asktheatty what is your favorite television show

• Atty: uuuuuhmmm. Toughie. I adore a lot of shows equally and I’m not sure I’d be able to narrow it down to one. Plus, it depends on your definition. I doubt everyone includes animes in TV shows, but I’ve watched plenty on TV. I guess if I really had to pick one (eliminating things I haven’t finished yet like Battlestar Galactica and Doctor Who) then it’d be Firefly.
• Arcy: As I’ve just gotten cable TV again for the first time in years, I hate all TV even more because commercials. However, everything can be considered a TV show, even if on Netflix without the original tag, so I would probably have to say... Grey’s Anatomy. Yup, I’m a sucker for the drama of Grey Sloan Memorial.
• Atty: omg don’t even get me started on that show sobs and hugs

Ernor asks, #asktheatty are you participating in noshave November

• Atty: I don’t think this question applies to me. But no anyway. :P
• Arcy: The beard is strong with this one.

Vic asks, @AttyDJB How's Atty's Mustache/beard doing for Movember? #AskTheAtty

• 

Tim asks, @AttyDJB have you considered entering NaNoWriMo? :P

• Atty: Yes, I’ve considered it often, but have never gone out and committed to the task. For anyone reading this unfamiliar with the term, NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month and is basically what it sounds like: you set out to write a novel (or novella) in a month. By the typical rules, this means writing a 50k word “novel” from start to finish in the thirty days of November.
• Now, technically, I’ve done this before (that is, written a novella-length fiction in a month or less). Twice to completion in my db-career. But, since both instances take place in Lucas’ Star Wars universe rather than one of my own making, and I never set out to specifically take the challenge in the first place, I ostensibly don’t count them. There’s also the part where you technically sign up for the event on their site, which I’ve never done — but to answer you, Tim, yes, I’ve considered it. Sobbed over and laughed at the prospect of, but considered. :P

Vyr asks, Addition to this question. @AttyDJB ill your mustachebeard be as glorious as mine? Will we be beardbros?

• Atty: I don’t think the universe could handle two beards so glorious. Certainly, our Grand Master couldn’t. :P But I will happily be bros, if in an imaginary beard capacity.

Vyr asks, You're not in the bearded ladies club @AttyDJB Will you join the bearded ladies club? :P

• Atty: see above. :P

In Closing

The Adventures of Atty and Arcy: The Comic!

No comic this time (but I centered my images, be proud) because of being busy. Vic and I didn’t get to watch V for Vendetta on the 5th because of that selfsame business, so I’m indulging in my tribute now (can you tell I like the movie?) Remember, remember, my sweet little members: the sunshine, rainbows, and rot. I can see no reason that smiling this season should ever be forgot.

That said...it’s midnight, I feel dead, and I’m signing off. But if you don’t remember anything else in this report, even with the silly rhymes, remember that I adore y'all, and remember this:

Arcona Invicta!