Kuro is not the flashy member, always snagging the Novae and the Sacrificial awards. Kuro is the member that submits because he can. He submits and gives it his everything, because he knows that setting the example by participating, and doing his best is what matters... He's the member that encourages others, even when he's having issues.
Case in point: during the Dark Crusade Chapter Two, he found the SA Exam particularly difficult. He posted in the news group about his difficulties with it, and it turned into a discussion about supporting each other and not giving up. It helped to rally the unit, sparking the discussion on other topics, getting people talking about where the had issues.
He's not afraid to open the channel and talk to people, to offer advice and support where he can. He's not afraid to say he can't do something alone, and to ask for help. His conduct is above reproach, always working to not only better himself, but others, even at his own expense.
Aware of his own limitations, Kuro works exceedingly hard to give his very best in everything he does. Despite not thinking that his drawings are magnificent, he submits them for graphics competitions and places regularly. Despite not thinking of himself as a writer, he spearheaded a Run On team, putting it together from scratch and making sure it ran well. He's the one who rode herd on everyone and made sure that timely posts were contributed, that every member hit their post requirement, and indeed exceeding them by some measure.
Dedication. Devotion. Duration. Determination. All words describing the virtues executed by a steady, faithful person. All words describing Kuro.
I'm proud to be able to offer him this promotion to Obelisk Prelate. It's overdue my friend, but you're finally here. Congratulations and good work!
OE Tra'an Reith, Quaestor of Plagueis
All too often promotions in our Brotherhood end up not being about what you've done, but instead about what you've done lately. This sort of focus is ok for some, but all too often it leaves others behind who are deserving of recognition. Kuro is one of the latter group. He has never been the guy to show up during a competition and knock you for a loop with an astounding level of activity, he's "just" the guy that maintains a constant and consistent level of activity. He's there day after day, week after week, and, at this point, year after year. The issue with him getting his elevation to Prelate has simply been that his activity has far outlasted any leader in a position to recognize it. He has been showing up and doing his best for three months short of four years now, and he hasn't had a leader above him consistently for all of that time to put all of that activity together. No one person was ever there to witness it all. When a person finally goes back and catalogues all of Kuro's accomplishments, like an archeologist uncovering something paradigm shifting, one comes to realize that it is amazing that he wasn't promoted long ago.
Over the last four years, Kuro has participated in virtually every Vendetta and Clan Feud event that has been offered: Plagueis: Insurrection, Rite of Supremacy: Spoils of War, Disorder, The Tenth Great Jedi War, The Summer Invasion Feud, Horizons, Beyond the Horizon, and now the Dark Crusade. His accumulation of medals, both for competitions and merit recognition, is equally impressive: 1 Amethyst Kukri, 2 Steel Crosses, 1 Anteian Cross, 2 Silver Novae, 2 Bronze Novae, 2 Dark Crosses, 1 Diamond Crescent, 2 Ruby Crescents, 2 Amethyst Crescents, 4 Sapphire Crescents, 1 Emerald Crescent, 3 Topaz Crescents, 524 Clusters of Fire (without the benefit of TOR or Diablo 3), 6 Clusters of Ice, 6 Seals of Bone, 4 Seals of Defiance, 11 Seals of Decimation, and 6 Seals of Affliction. Looking at this list reveals a picture of a man who maintains a level of quiet dedication to this organization that far outstrips many at ranks well beyond that he holds as a Templar.
His personal achievements are not the only thing that Kuro has thrown himself into over the last four years. He has also been a tireless leader, always willing to step up and do whatever he can for whatever unit he finds himself in. Kuro assumed the position of Rollmaster of House Exar Kun three days after his last promotion, and held that position until April of 2010, nearly ten months. At that time, he moved up into the post of Aedile of Exar Kun, holding that position until the reorganization of Plagueis into a House that July. During the 13 months in those positions, Kuro completed his duties as leader to a high standard. He was constantly running competitions, motivating members, and releasing timely reports (a part of leadership that many members overlook). After returning from a stint in Odan-Urr, Kuro stepped in as Battle Team Leader of Primus Pilus in April of 2012 and got back into the thick of it. Until October, when the Battle Team was closed, Kuro once again generated competitions and reports at a dizzying pace. He understood that as a BTL he was the first point of contact for his members and the Dark Brotherhood's leadership structure, and made sure to maintain a constant level of activity and communication.
As a person that held a position of leadership above Kuro, I've simply added my name to a long list of people that have overlooked his accomplishments and dedication. He isn't the flashiest of members, he might not ever take first place overall in a Vendetta. He is, however, the sort of member that is more important than the high octane competitors. He is the kind of person that will soldier on for years at a time, never letting his activity wane even in the face of others being promoted around him while he never is. He puts his head down and keeps generating the activity and quality placements that he has always been known for, elevation or no. I think it's high time that we correct an oversight that has persisted for at least the last three years and welcome Kuro to the rank of Prelate, with all the recognition he deserves.
~ Sith Battlelord Solus Gar
Kuro has mastered the art of steady presence.
For the past three and three-quarters years, Kuro has been here. Longer than I've been in the club, he's been an Equite -- carrying a year of leadership and a threatening backlog of awards earned at a steady pace. I won't relist them. Solus has done a fine job of that already, and this recommendation would double in length if I did. What Kuro has proven in his time in the Brotherhood isn't about horsepower -- raw, showy speed -- but he has shown me something about torque -- gritty, determined, and unstoppable.
And now that we can clearly see the pile of awards accumulated in three -- nearly four -- years of unrelenting work, it's time to rectify the situation.
Kuro, you've kept your nose to the grindstone for three years, put your shoulder behind your work and pushed on. Welcome to the rank of Prelate -- a place that you've earned several times over. Your contributions haven't gone unnoticed, and I thank you for your persistence and patience.
OP Eiko
Rollmaster of House Plagueis
Praetor to the Grand Master
My only regret regarding Kuro in Plagueis is that this is not a recommendation to Exarch. Kuro served as the last Aedile of House Exar Kun under my watch as Consul of Plagueis and did so admirably. He released reports far more regularly than anyone else during the last few months of Clan Plagueis and since his last promotion heâs run twenty competitions. Many of his accomplishments have already been covered, but I will go on to say that Kuro is the single most consistent member of Plagueis since I became Consul. He hasnât slowed down, he hasnât sped up, and that is exactly the reason heâs been overlooked for so long. Overlooked by me, Kal, Jaek, and even Traâan.
He is always asking questions about the direction of the House and it is extremely clear that this man cares as much about Plagueis as any of its Summit. He will continue to be a contributing factor and member of this unit and I am more than proud to recommend the promotion to Prelate that he has deserved for so long.
Congratulations, my friend. This has been a long time coming.
Primarch Alaris Jinn di Plagia
Right Hand of Justice
BTL of Ajunta Pall
Reaver Tra'an Reith di Plagia, 2013-03-27 21:53:35 UTC