Event History

There's so much good I could say about Teylas and I'm sure a lot of it has been said by others. I'm not going to focus on the extensive list of things he's done to benefit both Plagueis and the Brotherhood as a whole. While there is no denying Teylas' efforts have been key to Plagueis getting to where it is today, I'm going to focus on something else, character. In short, Teylas has it in spades.

Despite our intense fictional rivalry, Teylas is someone who in actuality I value very much. He's always someone that looks out for the good of the unit, often above his own interests.Dedication, that's definitely a word that comes to mind when I think of him. Dedication to the clan, dedication to his friends, dedication to the Brotherhood as a whole. On top of all that, he's also one of the more meticulous and organized people I know. I've worked with him on several projects and he's always the one reminding me what I need to get done. He's always pushing me and others to do their best and that's a quality few people truly have.

For all his work while being such a great guy, he more than deserves this. Now, how do I keep him from plotting against me further...

Teylas is an enigma. Our Quaestor and Magistrate to the MAA, he does exatly what it says on the tin. He runs Plagueis with an iron fist, but wears velvet gloves to do so. He can kick some when it comes to getting people to do what needs doing, but is kind and gentle when people are in trouble and in need of help. He has been a rock to me as I stepped into the role of RM for Plagueis and without his help and a few others, I wouldn't have made the grade and would probably have stepped down. But now, thanks to his help, I am going from strength to strength with another move on the way shortly. Teylas deserves recognition for his leadership abilities, his willngness to help anyone and everyone and his guidance to all and sundry. If anyone needs help, Teylas will and can. Of his Magistrate appointment I know little of it's responsibilties. But if he excels in the role as much as he does elsewhere, I'm sure he is a fine Magistrate. On this basis, I recommend Teylas for a Sappphire Blade. He deserves the recognition to show he's loved and cherished for what he does.

I came across Farrin around the time Aabsdu returned to the staff as a Professor. The History Department was an outdated disaster in desperate need of a full overhaul. Considering the amount of work involved, Farrin was brought in to assist Aabsdu in his efforts and he truly impressed us all. Instead of patching up the existing courses, this duo started from zero and built a series of 8 courses that are completely separate from what we had before. This included research as well as writing a massive mountain of text. This project has become one of those milestones for the Academy. It has completely altered the way we look at creating courses as well as updating them. Where in the past, we remained within the structure of an existing course and just reworded or alter segments. This project has started a trend where we start from 0 and build a new replacement course to take the place of the outdated one. It also revolutionized the concept of future updates as it is written in such a way that we can easily insert segments as canon demands. An example would be the ease in which we will be able to insert content that will arrive with the “Revan” expansion of SWToR.

Based on his superb performance in this project, Farrin became a Magistrate to the Headmaster and he has yet to slow down in his assault on the outdated segments of the SA. I am not going to repeat everything the Headmaster has already mentioned, I am merely going to ask that anyone reading this goes to look at the History Department and the Core Department and look at the results of his work. Then realise that you can only “see” about 35% of everything he has done for the Shadow Academy. You will come to the same conclusion we have when we set out to award him this sacramental award.

There are few in the DJB, and even fewer in Scholae Palatinae who have shown the consistent long-term service that Dante has. You really have to look at all the places he touches to truly appreciate what he does. He is a leader, a teacher, a gamer, a writer, a strategist, and a friend. This request for a Sapphire Blade was earned for more than six months of competitions since the start of the year although it’s what started this recommendation, he’s seen plenty of medals for his participation in competitions already, but from over two solid years being a pillar and a leader in Scholae Palatinae without fail.

To go over his many accomplishments, he has participated in 34 competitions so far this year since he was last recognized for his efforts. This included all 7 events in both of the most recent Looking Home House wide events on Caina and Antenora, placing 1st and 3rd overall in both of these events through his quality entries in addition to his many crescents. During which he has earned countless clusters of fire and pendants of blood, and finding himself among the first list of members who protect a Dark Councilor.

He has spent the past 18 months as a Battle Team leader in the House. The majority of this running the second of the two Battle Teams along side me as BTL of Acclivis Draco. He set an example to all those in his team, promoting events, communicating and maintaining the team, running competitions as the need arose to provide content for the House membership. Most recently he stepped into the role to take on a 3rd Battle Team in the House, at the helm of the newly opened Battle Team Dormad Sol where he has quickly re-established the old fictional identity from his own past, managing his new team.

On top of this positional leadership, he remains a great resource of information from the past and his opinion is invaluable as we work to Imperialize the Royal House and sort out our past which he was part of to get our wiki up to date which will be key in larger scale DJB events the House will participate in. He was instrumental in a project I personally saw to completion to completely modernize and restructure our Scholae Palatinae Military to accommodate the new Acclamator ships with units he also helped to select and submit for purchase. The quality of the work that was accomplished in my project would not have been as high as it was without his valuable input. Beyond this project, he provides the same quick response and feedback to question after question about the House’s past and why things are the way they are to help shape our future. I can’t imagine not having this valuable resource around for the current summit.

He helps out more than the summit, he helps out the members as well. Taking on apprentices whenever asked, and pushing and doing whatever he can to develop them. He is constantly available on IRC and helping out members and teaching to expose all the great knowledge and skills he himself has developed over his long and expansive career in the DJB.

There are so many facets that make Dante a complete member who is truly invaluable. He continues on for his loyalty and faith in Scholae Palatinae and his own drive to make it better. It may have taken years to really fully be able to step back and see what he has done, what he has accomplished, without reward, for so long, but I think that it’s time now to see it all recognized with a Sapphire Blade. Congratulations Dante. I can’t imagine Scholae Palatinae without you.

Dante is the wily old codger of the House. He is one part mentor, one part military genius, one part best friend, one part genial uncle, and three parts vodka. To say that Dante has had an influence on House Scholae Palatinae and the DB is to undermine the sheer scale of work this man has put in. I team up with him regularly to wrestle the House's military into a working, well-oiled killing machine, and I think we've done a great job so far. Most of this work, honestly, is done in Dante's mind. I can provide colour commentary and suggest an idea or two, but the bulk of the military genius in the House resides with him. With his guidance, our military is on par with Clans who have won GJWs recently (thereby receiving more fleet points). And in a battleplan event, I'd give us even odds against any comers.

Dante is a magnificent beast of an individual, whose moral fiber and stalwart dedication to the House is an inspiration to us all. Thank you for your service.

Tarax...many things can be said for Tarax. But let's keep it at this.
Tarax is a long and hard pillar of Taldryan, perhaps even the Brotherhood as a whole. Tarax is the kind of stand-up man that is not afraid to voice his opinion, he isn't a "yes man" that will just sit back and nod silently. He actively contributes on many levels for Taldryan. To shed a light on what I mean: I struggled with my health for a good month earlier this year, and Tarax (on his own accord) stepped up to keep things in Dinaari going in orderly fashion. Whether that was by hosting competitions, keeping other members informed, or - even on the most basic level - just being there as an approachable quasi-summit member.
I have gotten to know Tarax since the start of the Crusade a good year and a half ago, and I can honestly say that I am happy to know him, and that I often strive to be the same kind of person he is. Sometimes he'll complain about having to complete so many activities, but at the end of the day, my inbox is filled with emails from everything that he does. But he a standout member, a member you can count on, and a member who will contribute to every aspect of the clan with an honest integrity that many lack. I wish there were more of his kind in Taldryan. It may be a louder place then, and it's possible that it may sometimes give me a headache, but it'll be a place filled with people I can count on to keep Taldryan a healthy and fun environment.
Tarax, never change. You've deserved this award, and I feel that it is overdue.

Tarax...many things can be said for Tarax. But let's keep it at this.
Tarax is a long and hard pillar of Taldryan, perhaps even the Brotherhood as a whole. Tarax is the kind of stand-up man that is not afraid to voice his opinion, he isn't a "yes man" that will just sit back and nod silently. He actively contributes on many levels for Taldryan. To shed a light on what I mean: I struggled with my health for a good month earlier this year, and Tarax (on his own accord) stepped up to keep things in Dinaari going in orderly fashion. Whether that was by hosting competitions, keeping other members informed, or - even on the most basic level - just being there as an approachable quasi-summit member.
I have gotten to know Tarax since the start of the Crusade a good year and a half ago, and I can honestly say that I am happy to know him, and that I often strive to be the same kind of person he is. Sometimes he'll complain about having to complete so many activities, but at the end of the day, my inbox is filled with emails from everything that he does. But he a standout member, a member you can count on, and a member who will contribute to every aspect of the clan with an honest integrity that many lack. I wish there were more of his kind in Taldryan. It may be a louder placer, and it may sometimes give me a headache, but it'll be a place filled with people I can count on to keep Taldryan a healthy and fun environment.
Tarax, never change. You've deserved this award, and I feel that it is overdue.

I have known Tarax for a number of years, and have seen him in different situations. It is astounding how much he has grown over the years, and has truly become an integral part of Taldryan. Since Taldryan has become a Clan Tarax has been at the forefront of both activity and leadership. Although not in a specific role as leader, he has continued to push others to participate and motivate where he could. He is a veteran of the Clan, and acts in a manner befitting that status. His role in creating activity for the entire Clan with his little competitions is a great example of that.

Also, his own personal activity has been great. When called upon he is always there to help out the Clan, and has played important roles in some of the more recent wins that Taldryan has garnered. He is active in all sorts of manner, equal to many in this club, and is a mainstay on IRC. Her personifies this Clan, and we are lucky to have him.

Tarax has been a dedicated and loyal member of the Dark Jedi Brotherhood for as long as I can remember. This dedication is often overlooked, but it should not be. Tarax is a constant force on IRC, a participant in all major events, a leader within his Clan, and one of the most active Dark Brotherhood members in term of news page commentary and visibility.

It is actually mind blowing that Tarax does not have a Sapphire Blade and this award is long overdue. Congrats buddy.

Trying to explain what Tarax means to Clan Taldryan isn't something one can easily do. I'm sure other people will list out the amount of activity Tarax generates for the Clan so that I don't have to. I'm sure other people will try to address just what it is that Tarax brings to us. What it is that he contributes. Some idiots out there might believe that Tarax is nothing more than a troll, that all he does is done to cause chaos and for his enjoyment.

Those people are only 20% right.

What Tarax is, beyond any other measure, is a motivator. His constant needling of the people around him and above him on the chain of command is nothing short of brilliant. He simply recognizes one simple thing: that in this place where we're constantly being told your shortcomings are okay because you're just a volunteer, motivation is key. If we're constantly being held to the standard that mediocrity is okay, we'll never grow. Tarax doesn't accept mediocrity, and he'll never allow us to simply sit on our laurels: he needles us until we grow, until we address our shortcomings, or until we rage-quit.

But that alone? It's not enough to justify the awarding of a Sapphire Blade, well, at least it's not enough to justify it to Tarax himself. Tarax doesn't compromise, which makes him a bit of an outlier in today's Dark Brotherhood, and along with not compromising, Tarax holds himself and others to a higher standard. He views what he does as nothing short of what an average member should do. Tarax doesn't think he's a standard that other people should aspire to, because he doesn't realize that his contributions, and activity, are far above what the average member does. He doesn't realize that, because that's how good he actually is.

The single biggest reason for Tarax to be awarded this Sapphire Blade is his self-sacrifice. Tarax is a servant of the Brotherhood. He serves it without any desire or need for recognition. He's recognized that ultimately, he's probably progressed as far as he'll go. But he still serves. He still constantly asks me for projects for him to work on. He asks me to help out with policy. He acts as a leader of men with no position to "justify" his leadership, because Tarax is a leader.

For the past few months, Tarax has been working on a guide to help new members understand and navigate the DB's Web properties better. He's been building this guide in his spare time, on top of all of his other commitments and activity. He's been building this guide simply because it might help us maintain a more accurate roster, and active membership. Most importantly, he's working on this not because someone asked him to, but because he saw the need and just stepped up to help.

Tarax deserves recognition for all that he does every day, and even more so for believing in his heart that he's not worthy of such recognition.

** thrust **

He is a black sheep, a permanent pariah. He asked no quarter of the bosses and none was given. He learned no lessons; he acknowledged no mistakes; he is as stubborn a Pole as ever stumbled out of Plagueis to take up the banner of Taldryan. He brooked no authority. He did what he wanted to do and he said what he wanted to say, and in the end he gave us the activity.

When thinking about writing this, it occurred to me that Tarax is an odd member. It isn't that he's a terrible human being (and he is), but rather, he exhibits all of the characteristics of a member far, far beyond his rank and positioned experience in the Brotherhood. He is able to advise our newest members on how things work (through his near constant IRC presence), and he offers both broad and specific policy and procedural advice to Adepts and Masters. Specifically, Tarax was an important part of the team that helped write (and proof) Taldryan's clanning document that was submitted and approved in early 2014.

In terms of raw activity - Tarax participated in all three major ACC activities this year (closed and open beta, as well as the Fading Light tournament), earning himself a buttload of Clusters of Ice in the process. He also participated in, was on the winning team (earning a Gold Nova), and was the MVP for the Fading Light run on. With that last distinction, Tarax earned himself the Sith Sword named Revelation. Finally, Tarax ran three clan wide competitions for Taldryan, driving further activity for our clan.

For his long serviced to Clan Taldryan and the Dark Brotherhood, Tarax should be awarded a Sapphire Blade. Congratulations!

To most throughout the Brotherhood, Tarax seems just a troll. For that matter, when I first returned to the Brotherhood, I thought this as well. But this last year working with Tarax has completely changed my mind. Tarax has shown himself to be among the most active members of Taldryan, and while his propensity to speak his mind and do as he wishes may not always earn him friends outside the Clan, he has earned my respect for his dedication to the Clan.

Tarax's accomplishments since the end of the "main phase" of the Crusades are many. To name just a few: he was on the recent winning team for the Fading Light Run-On and was the team MVP, he was a main writer in Taldryan's clanning document, he has maintained consistent activity in Brotherhood-wide events in the ACC(betas, and Fading Light), and he has participated in many Clan competitions. Tarax has always been an active participant at all levels of the Clan and House. Recently, though, Tarax has done more, and gone further. Seeing that both Kaz and I were otherwise occupied, both with illness and other commitments, Tarax offered to run several Clan competitions. During this period, Tarax continued to participate in competitions and assist in other ways as well, including constant communication to members through his presence on IRC and over email. It is not just that Tarax is a novae-winning member; it is also that he is committed and dedicated to seeing his House and Clan succeed any way he can.

Congratulations, Tarax! Now go name this one, too.

I am honoured to be recommending Nadrin for this Sapphire Blade. His hard work and dedication to Clan Arcona and House Galeres has been exceptional. He has been a strong and solid foundation inside of House Galeres, leading Soulfire Strike Team through the Dark Crusade and stepping up to the plate when it was needed once again.

During the entire Crusade, Nadrin has served as a Field General. This role was all about helping the clan, though his job was to continue to participate in as many competitions as possible. He also gave hours of time to the clan. His duties involved and not to list some of them, constant membership contact, proofreading, motivational emails, leading run-on teams. During the entire crusade, he gave up countless hours to make sure that any question partaking the event was answered. I witnessed him leading from the front lines during this time. He constantly made sure that those members not inside the special forces performed to the best of their duties. What impact did this have? Well, we had the most actual entries per planet, regardless of ratio. Could this be achieved without the field generals? I don’t think so, after watching the work that Nadrin did. One of the key things that improves the clans performance during any event, he probably checked over hundreds of pages in total, considering he was in charge of members that were not part of the ‘Special Forces’ teams. He has made sure that the Crusade was fun not only for the members of Arcona. But at the same time hugely successful for Arcona and a successful participation for this Brotherhood event. This club often has productive, dedicated and devoted members, yet it is safe to say Nadrin is one of those and more, a leader inside of Arcona. Being both Consul threw to Battle Team Leader.

Since taking on the mantle of Quaestor, I have seen myself needing a Battle Team Leader of Soulfire Strike Team. Though Nadrin has the right to just sit back and enjoy himself, he stepped up when I needed a new Battle Team Leader. What do I mean step up? He brought a new era to Soulfire Strike Team. He invited in any member who wanted to help/be a part of the team without judgement of their past. He has continued to keep a constant drive, motivation and for any task, this was including leading threw the Dark Crusade. Taking Soulfire into Operation Sojourn to see his whole team achieved third place overall. A great feat as he continues to strive to improve, from giving medals out to seeing his members rewarded. He doesn't do anything for personal gain, and makes sure everything he does directly benefits his members, something to be proud of anyone inside of Leadership.

Nadrin has been a stable and devoted member of Arcona, taking time to do work and push himself . He has managed to rack up an impressive amount of merit medals these include three Grand Crosses and two Anteian Crosses. As impressive as that is, it still hasn't stopped him continue to wrack up a huge amount of medals, this has been every time including one-hundred and fifteen Clusters of Fire and a Pendant of Blood for his effort in gaming, and ten Clusters of Ice for his work in run-ons as well as the Antei Combat Centre. His drive during Vendettas has brought in a total of nineteen Seals through different events, and he has earned Scrolls for Indoctrination and Foundation for his work in mentoring and teaching others inside of the Brotherhood.

Congratulations on this Sapphire Blade, Nadrin. You have been an awesome member of House Galeres and served Clan Arcona through and through. I am honoured to have you work beside me as one of my Battleteam Leaders, I look forward to seeing what you do in the future.

Quaestor of House Galeres

Nadrin is the rare member who always gets the job done, no matter what the job is, and adapts to every challenging situation in which he finds himself. He’s been doing it for as long as I’ve been here, and I cannot recall a single moment where he let down his friends and fellow Arconans. He did as Consul, he did it in Great Jedi Wars, he did it in the Dark Crusade, and he’s currently doing it as Battleteam Leader of Soulfire.

Beyond the intangible quality of being present when he’s needed (which is often), Nadrin also serves as a friendly and accessible former Consul and Arconae. Those latter two titles are important, because they go beyond the mere allure of a veteran member or an Equite for Arcona’s numerous Journeymen. In an organization founded upon promotions and awards, seeing someone who has been to the mountaintop, and yet manages to be so helpful and welcoming to even the newest Apprentice, is inspirational even for those of us who have been here for years.

While I could go on, I have to accept that my fellow recommenders have covered the depth of Nadrin’s significance both to Arcona and to the Brotherhood. To me, Nadrin is one of the quintessentially Arconan Arconans, and one of the gentlemen most responsible for the success of the Clan in my six years here. He deserves every bit of this Sapphire Blade, and I hope that it encourages him to continue being a friend, a leader, and an inspiration.

Proconsul of Clan Arcona