It is my honor and privilege to add my voice in recommending Braecen Kaeth for his second Amethyst Kukri. This Sacramental Award is oftentimes given for exceptional leadership in leading a Clan or focusing on furthering an Aspect of the Dark Brotherhood. It is the former category that I believe that Braecen deserves special recognition in.

One leading example of that is the post-DJK Mentorship program that Braecen spearheaded, and of which I was among the first students to enroll in. It was in that program that first revealed to me the sheer depth of Braecen’s passion toward leadership and encouraging others to drive and excel to ever greater heights. When I first enrolled in the program, he sat down with me to have a serious conversation in which we discussed my goals, my strengths, and my weaknesses. We then put together a plan that would improve on every category.

It is at that point that most leaders would let the student fly to do it on their own. Not Braecen. He encouraged me to participate in all kinds of competitions, to create and provide competitions for others to enjoy, and to broaden my horizons, to push out of my comfort zone, if you would. And at every step of the way, he was there to encourage and push me on. The results speak for themselves- in the course of eight months, I picked up a Grand Cross of the Dark Side, a promotion to Equite 3, and a Sapphire Blade. All of this is due to Braecen’s influence and passion for leadership.

But that is not all. Braecen’s skills in leadership extends not just toward driving members to excel, but to lead. It was Braecen that encouraged me to apply for BTS of Tyrant Sword all those months ago, and it was his advice that drove me to improve and lead me to my current position. Braecen keeps his eyes sharp and peeled for the next generation of leaders, and when he spots them, he takes the time to groom and mentor them so that they can be of greater service to the Dark Brotherhood- not for his glory, but for theirs.

Braecen consistently gives of himself without thought of reward, instead focusing on others, striving to get them rewarded and promoted- to give them the recognition that are due them. It is this quality that I most admire about Braecen- and it is that quality that I believe embodies the spirit of why he deserves this Amethyst Kukri.

Braecen, my friend, this award is well earned, and in my opinion, long overdue. Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do.

Larrik Dul’vak Aedile of Galeres

Larrik Dul'vak, 2016-08-29 17:29:39 UTC

Has it only been one year? Braecen has woven himself into the very fabric of Arcona and Galeres. It’s become impossible to imagine it without him. I can’t imagine his replacement. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing all of his projects come to life in the Galeres Summit chat and have been honored to work alongside him on a few of them myself.

Each morning he wakes up like it’s game day. His record doesn’t matter; it’s all about how much he can accomplish today. Once he’s finished for the day he wipes the slate clean for the next day. That type of dedication is unparalleled, whether it’s drawing members into events like Arconan Civil War or Arcona Gaming Dominance or just being there to proof things and advise you on your career. He constantly is leading by example — he participates in everything. In Sins of the Past: Episode II he participated in more ACC matches than most members’ total amount of competition entries.

Braecen has been the pillar I’ve leaned on and the ears I’ve confided in. In a year’s time he’s become one of my most trusted advisors and keeper of secrets. For this and so much more I’m proud to help award you this Amethyst Kukri.

Congratulations and our deepest thanks!

Ernordeth Puer-Irae. Praetor to the Fist

Ernordeth Puer-Irae, 2016-08-29 17:30:02 UTC

Braecen is the most infuriating fellow Quaestor I could possibly imagine working with. He's just too damned good at his job. It is no exaggeration to say he makes every other member of the Summit look bad.

That's also what makes him so deserving of this award.

There isn't a single day that goes by where he isn't actively working on making Arcona a better place. Be it the new calendar and volunteer training sessions he is organizing to spur gaming; the constant plotting and planning to push forward Galeres' storyline; his Equite development program to ensure our members beyond Journeymen receive the attention, training and encouragement they need; his constant stream of organized competitions; or his methodical review of his members' activity and dogged dedication to ensuring they get the rewards they deserve in a timely manner: no matter how you judge leadership contributions, Braecen excels. He's pretty handy with spreadsheets, too!

His contributions don't stop there. Maybe one of the most important things he does is try to make himself disposable. He signs every email with "I start with the premise that the function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers…" This is a motto he lives by. He is constantly working with other leaders in Arcona to make them better at their jobs, and on the lookout for unrecognized talent that he can nurture and shape into the type of leaders Arcona will need to succeed in the future. This, more than anything else, may be the most important thing he does, and he does it wholeheartedly.

Braecen, you have my sincerest thanks. Not just for everything listed here, but for genuinely making me a better, more conscientious leader with your example.

Thanks, Starbucks, and congratulations!

• Terran Koul, Quaestor, House Qel-Droma of Clan Arcona

Terran Koul, 2016-08-29 17:30:20 UTC

Amethyst Kukri; bearers of this award have shown their dedication and focus on furthering an aspect of the Brotherhood far beyond what was expected of them. Just looking at Braecen’s award history shows that he is beyond just being an exemplary member and leader in this club. Back in ‘07 he earned an Amethyst Kukri less than a year after he earned a Sapphire Blade. No shorter than 6 months after that Kukri he was awarded a Ruby Scepter. This was 9 years ago.

Now fast forward 8 years. August 2015, I took the position of Battleteam Leader of Soulfire under our freshly appointed Quaestor. A lot happened after that, fast. Braecen Kaeth is more than a superior or boss. He’s a friend, a motivator and a mentor. I can’t possibly list all the things Braecen has had a hand in creating, improving or maintaining. Instead, let me state a simple fact: Arcona wouldn’t be where and how it is without this guy. He’s returned to leadership with a drive that is unparalleled. Tenacious B has personally affected and improved pretty much every member in Galeres and without a doubt plenty of others on the summit, Qel-Droma and the Brotherhood as a whole. I still don’t know how he does it but he has the ability to make others want to perform to the best of their abilities.

There is without a doubt no person I know who is more deserving of recognition, no person who has affected so many people in such a short time, no less.

Brandon, it is with pride and joy that I partake in this recognition and celebration of who you are and what you mean to your friends in Clan Arcona. My hope is to spend much more with you in our midst and many more of these recognitions to come.

Celahir Erinos Arconae Consul Emeritus

Celahir Erinos Arconae, 2016-08-29 17:30:36 UTC

Braecen is already an Elder. He could sit and idle for the rest of his time in the DB, but instead he chooses to show up for work everyday with a clipboard (I assume in the style of clipart from Microsoft Word) and a checklist of things that need to be done.

Braecen Kaeth, or Lord Business as we like to call him, has been the driving force of the Arcona Summit for the past year straight. Since taking up the position, he has brought a level of efficiency and air of confidence that has transformed not just the House, but the members that make it up. He took what he saw and molded the House to fit the member's needs. In doing so, he’s created a loyalty and following that is hard to match — the members of Gal, even when they disagree with him, are behind him. You can see this if you spend any amount of time in the Galeres House Chat.

The others have talked about the metrics of Arcona and House Galeres, which speak for themselves in terms of his success. The events he’s lead have helped keep Arcona participation and metrics at the top of the Brotherhood for each of the posted quarterly review results from the DGM. Leaders are more than metrics and numbers, of course.

Where Braecen has excelled the most in the past year as a leader in Clan Arcona is the way that he is almost always looking for something that needs to be fixed. There is no hesitation or time for breaks. He sees something that needs to be done, and he prods and prods and follows up until it gets done. This type of execution oriented efficiency is rare in the DB, and while it can sometimes ruffle feathers, it does get the job done. And at the end of the day, that’s what matters. Things getting done, and in a timely manner.

Braecen works for the members. This has manifested as I’ve watched Braecen single handedly go through the entire Arcona roster to do periodic audits of the members that were in need of reward, or at least get a bead on who was close to an award or promotion. He puts this first and foremost on his priority list, and then moves on to things like fictional development and event planning. He understands that a leader's first priority is to their members, and never looks to blame membership for things he’s not able to execute. He takes responsibility and then figures out how to adjust course.

Hell, he even manages to know exactly how to spur old members like Timeros and I into activity by calling out our House. It was a clever move that saw two Elders focused on other things turn their attention back towards a Halloween themed competition to put full effort in. I knew what he was doing, was aware of the subtle manipulation, and still found myself throwing down. It was one of the more fun competitions I’ve competed in since stepping away from Consul and as a regular member.

Recently, in the Sins of the Past II ACC, I watched as Braecen threw himself into the competition. Despite sitting back and dictating his members participate, he took the charge himself and competed in multiple matches. While the scoreboard doesn’t fully reflect his efforts, as Combat Master, I got to watch how it affected everyone else. When you have someone unrelenting, even in the face of loss, it becomes contagious. Brae helped generate matches, driving people to sign up and give it a go. From observation alone, I’d wager that the event would have seen significantly less action without his efforts.

Most importantly, Braecen listens. He hears what his members say, and uses it as fuel to move things forward. He creates activity not just for the sake of it, but in a way that helps members achieve what they actually want. He makes the people around him, leader or member, better by extension. He games, he writes, he does whatever is needed to help get others involved. And that’s the true mark of a leader. This is why I am proud to add my voice to this well earned Amethyst Kukri.

Keep killing it, Brae. It’s an honor to be active in the Brotherhood at the same time as you.

Combat Master

Exarch Marick Tyris Arconae, 2016-08-29 17:31:07 UTC