It seems that not a day goes past where I do not hear about you, Deidra. Your superiors have sent glowing records regarding your accomplishments, which include:

• Pass Dark Brotherhood Basics Shadow Academy course
• Participate in 1 competition (currently 1/1: RTFR2.0: Episode 8, The Return of the Mack)
• Logon to IRC and visit Clan channel
• Register on the DJB Forums

An expedited recommendation for your promotion has been transmitted to the Master-at-Arms.

May the Force guide you, Acolyte,

CCL Solari Headmaster

Master Windos, 2014-01-27 03:37:09 UTC

Kaidan Antillar is one of the new members that is fun to work with in Odan-Urr. He always gives you a feeling of wanting to do more, and it's a good thing to see in a young member. He has accomplished registering with the forums and passing Brotherhood Basics, as well as writing a 1200 word fiction dealing with his character arriving in Odan-Urr. With these three things, it is my honor and privilege to recommend Kaidan for a promotion. Congrats, Kaidan!

Zel Koo, 2014-01-27 01:58:40 UTC

Eldan, you have successfully passed the Test of Lore and earned the rank of Apprentice. While you may currently be on a shuttle to House Scholae Palatinae, I will continue to follow your progress with great interest.

May the Force guide you, Apprentice,

CCL Solari Headmaster

Master Windos, 2014-01-27 01:23:12 UTC

Sayd Malaki, you have successfully passed the Test of Lore and earned the rank of Apprentice. While you may currently be on a shuttle to House Scholae Palatinae, I will continue to follow your progress with great interest.

May the Force guide you, Apprentice,

CCL Solari Headmaster

Master Windos, 2014-01-27 00:50:30 UTC

You're already beginning to make a name for yourself, falconx. I have heard reports from House Scholae Palatinae that you have managed to:

• Pass Any Shadow Academy course except (test_of_lore,advancement_survey)

I have recommended you for immediate promotion.

Congratulations, and may the Force guide you, Novice,

CCL Solari Headmaster

Master Windos, 2014-01-26 22:23:19 UTC

You're already beginning to make a name for yourself, Alindra Vordrinn. I have heard reports from House Tarentum that you have managed to:

• Pass Any Shadow Academy course except (test_of_lore,advancement_survey)

I have recommended you for immediate promotion.

Congratulations, and may the Force guide you, Novice,

CCL Solari Headmaster

Master Windos, 2014-01-26 20:12:23 UTC

Alindra Vordrinn, you have successfully passed the Test of Lore and earned the rank of Apprentice. While you may currently be on a shuttle to House Tarentum, I will continue to follow your progress with great interest.

May the Force guide you, Apprentice,

CCL Solari Headmaster

Master Windos, 2014-01-26 19:37:49 UTC

falconx, you have successfully passed the Test of Lore and earned the rank of Apprentice. While you may currently be on a shuttle to House Scholae Palatinae, I will continue to follow your progress with great interest.

May the Force guide you, Apprentice,

CCL Solari Headmaster

Master Windos, 2014-01-26 10:27:15 UTC

Locke Sonjie is one of a kind, I don’t know how else to put it. It has been over a year since Locke was last promoted and in that time he has earned numerous Seals, Clusters of Fire, Clusters of Ice, Crescents and a handful of Novae, all of which shows his incredible drive and high level of activity, that shined through during the Crusade where he did no less than 21 events.

He has of course earned a number of merit medals in that time, two Dark Crosses, an Anteian Cross and last but not least a Sapphire Blade. These stand as a testament to both his activity but also to his leadership quality where has spent no less than 15 months as Consul of Clan Naga Sadow, seven of them since his last promotion, which in itself is an achievement. When you then take some of the troubles Naga Sadow has faced in the past year into account then it’s even more impressive that he still continued on as Consul until he was sure he had left the Clan in capable hands.

After he resigned he took a short break but immediately when he returned to active duty he jumped at every opportunity to be an asset to Naga Sadow, offering to help out with projects or anything else we need him for really, among other things he did all the work when it comes to fleshing out the Warhost of Naga Sadow wiki article.

While technically I’m the senior Consul I still bug him for advice and to bounce ideas off of him all the time because he is my predecessor and honestly, I don’t think I could find anyone else to talk to about fleet changes for 20-30 hours… furthermore we have also spent numerous hours discussing Clan Artisans and the new fictional direction we’re taking Naga Sadow.

He also possesses the ability to get along with everyone, from the most grizzled veteran in the club to the newest member who has just joined the club, not everyone in the club is capable of doing that.

As the sitting Consul I would like to thank my predecessor in the seat for a job well done and reward him with this promotion to Krath Epis. Congratulations Locke, and thank you.

Malik Sadow

Master Gavriel Kadesh, 2014-01-24 13:01:03 UTC

This may sound strange to put in a recommendation for a promotion, but let none of us not beat around the bush. This has not been an easy year for Locke. When Locke was promoted to Krath Archpriest, I wrote that it had been his leadership, his drive, his enthusiasm around which Clan Naga Sadow pulled back together, around which a Clan was reborn, around which the heart and soul of a Clan was restored.

When events beyond Locke’s own control then shredded everything that he had spent his time as Consul - a great consul - to build, most lesser men would have collapsed and thrown in the towel. Indeed, yes, Locke had little choice but to pass on the mantle of leadership - a choice I know that hurt him then, and I suspect still hurts him now, especially after all that he had done, all that he had bled for his Clan and friends. But this is where Locke’s dedication stood firm.

He sacrificed himself for his Clan.

That’s hard. Very hard. How many leaders do we all know that have sat in their chairs for weeks, months... years, even when the pains of what they have been through have already crushed them? But in Locke’s case, he didn’t do that. He was more mature than so many of those others are. He stepped down, to allow others to put back together what Locke had built.

What Locke had built. I feel that cannot be repeated enough times. What Locke had built.

So much that Clan Naga Sadow now has - and is - it still owes to Locke. Despite all the unfortunate events that befell the Clan in the first half of this year, it was still - and is still - Locke that Naga Sadow owed - and still owes - its survival to. And even today, what is Locke still doing, but fighting to preserve what he had built up? Even after all the hardships of this year, Locke has not gone away, but fights on. Even after all the pain, he still took part - even winning multiple Novas - during the Dark Crusade.

Doing the very thing that I wish so many more of Clan Naga Sadow’s fellow Equites would do.

Locke may not be Consul, he may not be a Son of Sadow, he may not be many things: but he is dedicated to the Clan that he led and continues to commit himself to. Even as I write this, I open my email, and see Locke engaging with both of the Clan’s Houses on their separate mailing lists. Even as I write this, I can open emails from yesterday when Locke was working together with many of the Clans other members, from elders like Macron to the comparative youngsters like Syntari, with Locke leading discussions, interacting, engaging people in run-ons and taking part in the many other smaller events that are run.

How many other Equites do this? Not nearly enough.

And Locke still does this, even in spite of all the aforementioned hardships that he has been forced to endure in the last twelve months. That takes commitment. That takes dedication. That takes a man who tirelessly sacrifices his heart and soul for a Clan that he loves so dearly. And that deserves recognition more than any websites or graphics, for it is in the community that the Dark Jedi Brotherhood finds its true purpose, its reason for being, its PURPOSE.

Locke gives this club purpose.

And for that I heartily thank him.

Congratulations, Consul Emeritus, you are one of the greats, and I hope you never go.

, 2014-01-23 17:29:25 UTC

If I am trying to think of a person that has been a consistent factor within CNS, Locke Sonjie is one of those persons. He has been always around, he always has given advices and he still gives input. He is a calm person whose presence keeps lingering within Clan Naga Sadow and he has put his mark onto Clan Naga Sadow - in a good kind of way.

Despite of having stepped down from Consul (which I had hoped wouldn’t happen), he is still here, still around, and still active. For which I am very thankful.

I would like to recap the shinies Locke has gotten since his last promotion: 15 Seals of Affliction, 5 Legions of the Scholar, Quite an amount of Clusters of Fire and Ice, 2 Dark Crosses, 2 Bronze Nova, 2 Silver Nova, 1 Gold Nova, 10 Crescents, 1 Dark Side Scroll, 3 Seals of Reminiscence, 1 Anteian Cross and 1 Sapphire Blade

This is a huge amount of rewards; along with his positive influence and consistent activities this is well worthy of a promotion. Congratulations Epis Locke Sonjie

Sildrin Lyonsbane, 2014-01-23 17:27:47 UTC

There’s a lot I could say about my former Aedile. For one, he was also Consul for a bit over a year, and did a pretty solid job of it, including earning himself a Sapphire Blade from former and current summit, as gratitude to the work he did for us. I could also give you the laundry list of things he’s done for himself, but I don’t know that wasting time is the right way to go here, but there’s crescents and novae aplenty, several Vendetta seals, and also a Seal of Loyalty.

Now, stepping up and working for a Clan for over a year is enough, I should imagine, to warrant a promotion on its own, but he’s done more. Lots more as a matter of fact, as previously stated. He’s filled more than a year at EQ2, and he has the time as a leader, which are the listed requirements for a promotion to Krath Epis, but for a guy like Locke, who’s done so much, put in so much time and effort, I’m tempted to petition he be promoted to Krath Epic. That’s just the kind of guy he is, and I firmly believe that he deserves to be elevated to the third tier of the Equites.

Raziel, 2014-01-23 17:28:12 UTC

From the first time I joined the clan, it was Locke who greeted me first with more than one way to keep me around for the long haul. His dedication to the clan and keeping it fresh and thriving was pleasant to see. He was Consul for well over a year and in that time has brought change and a sense of camaraderie between clansmen. Though the responsibilities of a Consul weigh heavily on most as it demands a lot of attention from a person, this didn't seem to bother Locke.

Becoming even more active personally to invigorate clan members to do the same. Earning a Sapphire Blade for his high efforts as a summit leader, and even being increasingly adamant about pushing through the Crusades. He has earned multiple awards for his hardwork during the Crusade, getting the whole triad of Novae from Bronze to Gold. And even more awards outside the Crusade, he stays extremely active on that part.

When he resigned and became a member, he still did not stop checking up on me and other members, making sure we were at place and felt at home. These were things he did do for recognition but that's just the way he operates. I believe Locke has proven his prowess so far, and I am happy to write this recc for him. Congratulations Locke you deserve it!

Shirai Dupar, 2014-01-23 17:28:32 UTC

When I first joined Naga Sadow, there were four faces that I found were most immediately welcoming of me - Locke was the first. He was, at that time Consul of the Clan, and a most active one. Locke has many traits going for him that are worth mentioning, but some of the most important ones, to me, are his kindness, his willingless to listen, his humility and his simple style that works so very well with the people around him. Instead of causing conflict and strife to get his way, Locke listened to us. He listened to me as a member of his Clan. He listened to me when I submitted a battleteam proposal, supported me, and helped me refine the concept to be something great. He listened to me when I was a battleteam leader despite how new I still was to the club. He trusted me enough to help me work towards the rank of Quaestor, which I became after some time. In the time that Locke was Consul, he listened. Not just to myself, but to all of us. Our voices were all equal, from the newest Initiate to the most senior Elder, for we were all members of Naga Sadow. His voice, too, was equal. He treated others the way he wished to be treated. There were few problems with his leadership style becase he did not take his ego and shove it into the face of the others. And, despite many great troubles that hammered our Clan, the difficulties that happened, he weathered the storm to serve as Consul for more than a year. I knew Locke only through the second half of his term, but I am grateful for every day of that term that I was present.

May this recommendation serve as thanks, from a Summit member who was very appreciative of his work, for his dedication to Naga Sadow and for his leadership qualities that have not died off. Even now, as a regular member, he is still active, constantly providing feedback and commentary, participating in run-ons and entering competitions - and winning, to the quality expected of the finest Sadows. All of this, and more, makes Locke Sonjie worthy of the next rank in the Brotherhood, without any shadow of a doubt.

Congratulations, Locke. Welcome to EQ3.

Battlelord Mateus Kelborn, 2014-01-23 17:28:55 UTC

Nearly five and a half years have passed since Jade was promoted to Krath Archpriestess. In that time she has served as Rollmaster, Aedile and Quaestor of House Marka Ragnos, while she was Quaestor she led Marka Ragnos to a victory over Ludo Kressh in a feud. And to add to all that she was also named a Daughter of Sadow, all of these show what an asset Jade has been, and still is, to Clan Naga Sadow.

She has earned countless crescents, several seals and a number of clusters of fire which speak of her activity. Her activity hasn’t been confined to just competitions either, she has also earned a number of Shadow Academy degrees, including Dark Sage Writing which is arguably one of the more difficult ones to get, many people have dropped out of those classes.

Some people might have given up after such a long time without getting promoted by not Jade. She has always been ready to help out the Clan and its members when they needed it. For that I want to thank her and give her this promotion to Krath Epis which has been long underway. Congratulations Jade!

Malik Sadow

Master Gavriel Kadesh, 2014-01-24 13:01:02 UTC

I haven't personally gotten to know Jade in my time here. But I was always very aware of her long track record. As a rival of Naga Sadow for a time in my long stay at Plagueis. I was always very aware of Jades consistent activity. Since she was last promoted her track record speaks for itself. Still a veteran among veterans, the experience she shares with members was invoking. Jades has served her clan through everything including an old enemy, time. As her Aedile I feel that she has more than earned the right for this honor. And I am thrilled to send this recc, when someone deserves their due. Awesome job Jade.

Shirai Dupar, 2014-01-23 17:30:18 UTC

Sometimes people slip through the cracks, lost in the annals of a unit’s history, their achievements forgotten. This is something I would be positively remiss if I didn’t correct. Hence I write to you about Jades Sadow. Her last promotion was in 2008. Just a little over five years ago, and in that time, holy moly, she’s got five pages of awards on her DB history page. This includes mentoring somebody all the way to Dark Jedi Knight. In addition, she has collectively around a year of sub-unit leadership, including Aedile and Quaestor in ’08 and ’09.

More than that though, since I first joined the DB, and was sorted into CNS, I have seen her volunteer for most anything she can get her hands on, offer help whenever possible, and in general, remain a rock solid constant. We, as a Clan, have failed long enough in giving Jade what she deserves, so please, consider my Apprentice Sister for promotion to Krath Epis.

Raziel, 2014-01-23 17:30:37 UTC

I was going to start this with a story about a tortoise and a hare, but I’m sure you’ve all heard that one already. But that story teaches an important lesson, about how you don’t always need to be the one to get to the finish line first -- and sometimes if you try to, you won’t end up getting their first anyway. Jade may not run fast like the hare, but if Aesop’s fable taught us all anything, it’s that you don’t need to be fast, and that there is nothing wrong with being the slow and steady tortoise, because not only do they get there eventually, but often still manage to beat those who burn themselves out, never to reach the end at all.

Jade is like the tortoise, and despite how that image sounds, this is a good thing.

Having been here an eternity, Jade is one of the oldest members of the Dark Brotherhood (and when she reads this, I hope she does not take that sentence the wrong way!). No, she has never been on the Dark Council, no she has not been in a Summit position for a number of years, and yes, her activity has risen and fallen, like the crashing tides of the sea, or the waxing and waning of the moon -- the latter of these two analogies probably being the one she, the authoress who I know enjoys writing published vampire fiction, probably would prefer to see herself as.

Is this a bad thing? The short -- or perhaps in the context, the long -- answer is: no.

In the end, slow and steady wins the race, and Jade will have been where she is now for six years in another week’s time. Yet, Jade has never been far away. If she had drifted that far from the Dark Brotherhood, then she wouldn’t keep coming back, time and time again, to take part, to interact, to remain a member of that community that she has called a home -- albeit on and off -- for potentially longer than some of this club’s youngest members have drawn breath.

But that isn’t why Jade deserves a promotion. Sitting idle, and inactive, does not net rewards alone. No, what has made Jade worthy is how -- even now, after all these many years -- she remains one of those dependable people, who when called upon, still reads her email, still answers the call, still returns to give back to those members today what she herself has gotten out of the Dark Brotherhood for more than a decade now. When I look at her dossier, it may not be filled with the avalanche of medals throughout 2013 that I have usually written about on other promotion recommendations, but instead I see a small trickle, here and there, on and off, over such a prolonged, excessive, exhaustive period of time... that it genuinely intimidates me when I reflect on how long she, or I, or many others of us, have been here.

And, this is what is important, how we still are.

And it is because of people like Jade that we all still are. Because without that community, without that family of members who remain here, what other reason would we have to stay...?

Far too often, that simple, reliable, consistent presence is not given the reward it deserves. The mother or sister who her family can always rely on to be there, or the family member that does not run away, does not leave, does not go off and do something else, or emigrate and never is heard from again, those bonds, those ties, they bind society together. And, exactly the same way, they bind this club together, and are at the heart of it, just as much as they are at the heart of any family in the real world.

This is why, when I look at everything -- and I mean EVERYTHING -- that Jade has done since her last promotion, and that after all is what every successive promotion is about, I end up seeing that same tally of medals and activity and dedication that I see in others, just unlike the many hares that rush about hurrying to their next award, with Jade she has simply been prepared to take her time, slow and steady like the tortoise, not having rushed.

There comes a point where this has to be recognised, and after six years and still being a part of this club and its family, I feel it is only right that we thank Jade for still being here, and for the many things she has does over the years -- and which, as a direct result of how long it has been, are consequently much too long to ever cover in comprehensive detail!

Well done Jade, and I hope you always continue to be a part for the next six years too.

, 2014-01-23 17:31:01 UTC