You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something - your beard, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.

The Bearded Tome: Chapter 17, Verse 52

Headlines that you need to know!

• Gathering Darkness Chapter 1 Ends Sunday
• Someone set fire to the Shadow Academy
• DB Wide Fiction Spotlight
• Star Wars Rumours are on Fire
• Rollmaster's Corner
• Competition Roundup

Well, it's Wednesday, and this week we're going to get a proper report, rather than just Gathering Darkness plot updates. Obviously Gathering Darkness is taking up a great deal of the time from our leaders at the moment, but before I get into any of the nitty gritty, I just wanted to pass on my heartfelt congratulations to Dru for his elevation to Aedile in Ektrosis. We all expect great things from you Dru... now the pressure is on!

Gathering Darkness Chapter 1 Ends Sunday

Gathering Darkness Chapter 1 is setting up to end on Sunday. The prologue and the first chapter are meant to set the bulk of the direction of this event, and your input can really help shape the story. We've designed this event to be adaptive to how you write it. You can see that in the winning fiction by Rian from the prologue, where a second Paladin was added into the mix. Take the opportunity to shape the destiny of this major event in Taldryan's History.

Important Gathering Darkness Links:

• Main Competition
• Plot Thus Far
• Cole Drayson Character Profile
• Fiction Event: A Lengthening Shadow
• ACC Event: Cannons to the Left
• PvP Event: Cannons to the Right

We've already seen a really good amount of ACC Fights popping up between Taldryan members, but keep in mind, you're allowed to challenge folks outside of our hallowed halls for this competition, and they'll still count towards it.

Good luck everyone!

Shadow Academy Updates!

The Shadow Academy has been running like a well oiled machine of late, thanks to the stellar efforts of Headmaster Bubba Gump and his staff. You can read all the news of the newly appointed professors, including our very own Halcyon. You can also brush up on the basics of the DB with the new DB Basics Course, and a journeyman course on how to use the new forums to boot!

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DB Wide Fiction Spotlight

Despite being attacked by a legion of mouse eared wearing ugnaughts, the Voice has managed to judge the most recent round of DB Wide fiction: Motivators. Taking home the top two spots in this competition were Taldryan's very own Aidan Kincaid, and Arvalis. Well done you two!

Recently though Pravus has announced two new fiction competitions that sound like a lot of fun to participate in. One of them asks you to delve into the relationships your character holds most dear. The other one ties into the long running Dark Crusades/Fading Light plotline, where you are sent to Assassinate the war leader of the One Sith we've been facing: Sith Lord Esoteric.

I hope to read some more amazing Taldryan entries for these competitions!

Star Wars News Roundup

Coming up this weekend is the event that is the equivalent of the geek mecca: San Diego Comic Con. Whether it's a coincidence or not, I have no idea, but the Star Wars rumours have been flying fast and thick over the last few weeks. You can check out a couple of the official Star Wars Comic Con articles over on starwars.com. The first is a checklist of exclusives Star Wars fans can expect to see, as well as a first glance at the Star Wars booth that will be featuring at the convention itself.

Other Star Wars News

• Star Wars Rebels: Meet the Inquisitor
• Star Wars Rebels: Extended Trailer
• Star Wars Rebels: Meet Imperial Agent Kallus
• Episode VII Confirmed to Have X-Wings
• Episode VII Plot Spoilers/Rumours

Rollmaster's Corner

Hello all! We have a few new members this week! In no particular order: I would like to welcome Novice Crudelis to Clan Taldryan! He has joined House Dinaari, and has taken a deep dive into the Shadow Academy (as you can see below). He will be working with Aidan Kincaid (aka: Shadow!) as his apprentice, and I look forward to seeing him thrive! Novice Kal Xehort also joined our ranks, and has dived right into the Shadow Academy, welcome!

I’d also like to offer my congratulations to young Aiden Dru, who is taking up the position of Ektrosis Aedile. Congratulations!

Journeymen Activities

Below are the highlights of our journeymen this week!

Novice Crudelis was promoted to Novice from Apprentice. Crudelis also earned two Dark Pundit degrees, Essentials and Vendetta, as well as the DB Basics Shadow Academy course!

Novice Kal Xehort completed History of the Sith Empire I and II this week!

Acolyte Bendak Talasar passed ACC Fundamentals!

Competition Roundup

Lots of Competitions both within Taldryan and around the DB to keep you occupied. As always, if you have any ideas for a competition and want some advice/help setting it up, get in touch with anyone in the Summit and we'll do our best to help you get it rolling!

Taldryan Competitions

• Fiction: A Lengthening Shadow. Ends 27 July
• Misc: Hunt the Jedi #10. Ends 29 July
• ACC: Cannons to the Left. Ends 6 September
• PvP: Cannons to the Right. Ends 6 September

DB Wide Competitions

• Fiction: Such is Life. Ends 31 July
• Fiction: Blood and Glory, Round 1. Ends 31 July
• Fiction: HOU-Centric|Heart of the Forest. Ends 5 August
• Misc: Assault on the Shadow Academy. Ends 5 August
• Fiction: The Tie that Binds. Ends 8 August.
• Mobile: Akinator. Ends 15 August
• Fiction: Assassins. Ends 18 August
• Misc: DJB Fantasy Football League. Ends 31 December
• Fiction: HOU-Centric|Tales of the Jedi. Ends 31 December

That's it for me this week folks, sorry it was short and hurried. I'm super sleepy and going to fall into bed as soon as this is posted. Take it easy!