Equite 2 is a dividing line. Not just the halfway point between the Equite ranks, once a member reaches that rank, simple activity ceases to be enough. One must couple personal achievements with Clan contributions and Brotherhood-wide impact. Kz’set (Arden) not only meets these three qualifications, he exceeds them.

Arden’s activity record is an impressive resume in and of itself. A sapphire blade, steel cross, 2 dark crosses, 2 novae, 12 crescents, a pendant of blood, 109 clusters of fire, 40 clusters of ice, and 49 vendetta seals. He is one of the most active writers in the Brotherhood as demonstrated by his prolific ability to earn clusters of ice through both fiction and the ACC. His vendetta seal total speaks to just how active he is when competition time rolls around and Plagueis needs its best on the front lines. Ks'zet even entered 47 individual competitions between the date of his last promotion and now. He has been one of the most active members of Plagueis, even while serving in leadership positions for most of that time. Since his last promotion, Kz'set has come to be the embodiment of Montresor's old call to arms: Do work, son!

As much as Kz'set is the exemplar of what it is to be an active member, he is even better as a leader. He returned to the Plagueis summit for a second time on the final day of 2013 and hasn't looked back since. His work as Rollmaster and his focus on member retention was integral to our effort to re-clan, and he made significant contributions to our clan proposal. Following that change, he took over the newly created House Karness Muur like he had never left his old battle team that the House had arisen from. He, along with others, did become mindful of the overall slip in activity that followed, however, and he sought to take steps to reverse it. Kz'set understands that maintaining activity is as much about keeping people in the habit of doing things in the Brotherhood as it is about anything else, so he threw himself into championing the event that would become known as the Sphere of Influence intra-clan feud. He also lent his expertise to running the Anchorage feud as well, offering me as Consul the nearly unheard of opportunity to sit back and participate. His efforts during the Fading Light event and the recent Great Jedi War, however, have been invaluable. He took over the role of Clan Stathead, making sure to track all of our activity. He was also our taskmaster, keeping tabs on our competitors and teams in order to ensure that they were participating and getting their entries in. As a result, Plagueis had one of the highest per capita entry rate of any Clan in the Brotherhood. Those numbers in the Great Jedi War simply do not happen without Kz'set's tireless efforts in the year that predated it, so our success is as much his success as anyone's.

Most people would be content with the personal development and leadership achievements that Kz'set has amassed since his last promotion, but Kz'set is not most people. His passion has always been in storytelling, so it made perfect sense when he joined the office of the Voice last October. As one of the Brotherhood's relatively newer members, he has always had an eye for making things more approachable and user friendly, especially for new members. Much of his work in the Voice's office has been along those lines, from crafting competition approval guidelines to changes to the character sheet approval system. He has also worked on a number of Brotherhood-wide projects, including the upcoming Hand to Hand combat guide. In addition, Kz'set has always been mindful that that the Brotherhood must grow to avoid stagnation or collapse. He has brought this attitude to his role as mentor for new members, shepherding both Meleu Karthdo and Misium to the rank of Dark Jedi Knight.

Kz'set is one of the most fiercely dedicated leaders I've had the pleasure to serve with in the Brotherhood, and a monster of activity. I’m thankful to have him by my side as a colleague in Plagueis and happy that I could see him reach the rank of Sith Battlelord.

Vivackus Kavon di Plagia, 2015-02-26 02:14:25 UTC

Arden has been a steadfast member for as long as I have been in the DJB. His constant vigil over IRC and his outstanding efforts to prrofread anyone and everyone's work in fiction is unbelieveable. I couldn't wish this promoton to EQ3 on Arden enough. I don't know much about the man behind the name, but when I hear that someone has been taken under his wing by Arden for either help or proofing, I know they are in good hands. He's always there, always has been, and I can probably say, always will be when it comes to assisting new members achieve their goals. An upstanding member of the Brotherhood, he has always shown respect, friendship and brilliant leadesrhip qualities as PCON of Plagueis. All this while also juggling 4 apprentices? Wow. Also a Gold Nova for the GJW and a Sapphire blade to his name prove that this is a member in need of this recognition. I salute you, Arden. Thanks for all your help, thanks from everyone you helped and may you continie long in your endeavours to better the DJB. You deserve the jump to EQ3. Congratulations!

Envoy Taranae Rhode, 2015-02-26 02:13:28 UTC

I’m so excited to recommend Arden to be promoted to Equite Three. Arden has always been welcoming to new and old members alike. He is always one to answer a question and make sure you have all the tools you need to succeed. I think one of my favorite things about him is his patience. I’m convinced this man has no temper, and if he does, I’ve never seen it. I know because I’m sure I’ve tested it may, many times, and while he has given me a stern talking to, never once have I been yelled at or belittled. Arden is also beyond active. He is an amazing PCON, always on IRC and engaging in conversations with new and old members, isn’t afraid to be silly (which I’m convinced is a prerequisite to be placed into Plagueis) and makes sure the peace is kept. His emails are constant, informative and straight to the point so we don’t get bored or over stimulated and he is always bring new, fresh ideas to our Clan. His hard work and dedication to us is amazing, and if I can be half the leader Arden is, I will think of myself as successful. Arden, my friend you bust your butt for us and I’m proud to be part of your leadership team. Thank you for all the hard work you put in! You are truly deserving of this promotion. :)

Octavia Morgan Obrie, 2015-02-26 02:13:53 UTC

What is there to say about Kz'set that hasn't been said already? There are plenty of shinies on his profile to talk about all the quantifiable things he's done, but even so, there's a lot it doesn't say. Kz'set came into Plagueis a few months after I did back in 2012, when he first joined the Brotherhood, and immediately made an impact. Now, three years later, that hasn't changed and has only made improvement. Since becoming PCON Kz'set has continued dedicating 110% of himself to the Clan pushing the membership to be the best they can be, engaging them on a personal level, and ensuring that, above all, everyone is having fun. Exactly what you look for in a leader in an organization like the Dark Jedi Brotherhood. The most recent Great Jedi War was a testament to that as Plagueis rose the occasion and improved it's overall standing between the first and second phases in no small part due to Kz'set driving the membership to up their own game personally.

During the event Plagueis ran a few months back called "The Anchorage", Kz'set was instrumental in helping me organize, create, distribute, and grade certain events. When I first started creating and shaping what I wanted, Kz'set quickly stepped in to critique and improve the fictional setting of the event. During the first phase he wanted to get involved in some of the events, so I handed over two of the easier ones for him to come up with and take care of on his own. Not only did he do that, but during the second phase insisted he wanted to take on some more of the harder events. This might not seem like a huge deal, but it just shows the type of leadership that Kz'set brings to the table: always striving for more, for better, for people to be all they can be. Not only does he expect this of others, but he also expects this -- and shows it -- of himself.

For someone who has paralleled my own time in the Dark Jedi Brotherhood in many ways, and differentiated himself in others, he has carved his own path out which definitely puts him above many others. Someone I'm happy to call a friend both on a professional level here, and personally. Congratulations.

Teylas Ramar, 2015-02-26 02:14:20 UTC