If real life forced me to resign the position of Grand Master tomorrow, there is not a single person who I would feel more comfortable with having take over my role than Kir Katarn. It hasn't always been that way -- three months ago I would have told you that Kir had some huge shoes to fill in replacing Mav. Today, I can tell you that Kir has demonstrated that he can fill that role of Deputy Grand Master, and that he is competent and resourceful enough to lead the Brotherhood on his own should it come to that.
That's really all that needs be said: Kir has proven himself as Deputy Grand Master. But who can stop there?
This isn't the first time that Kir has shown his abilities in such a fashion. In Taldryan, Kir, relatively unproven at the time, took a clan that was on the verge of losing its prominence and re-instituted the pride and dominance that had been prevalent years earlier. I will be the first to admit that Kir was a better Consul than I was. He won't yet get his chance to out-do me at Grand Master, but he has definitely proved that he was the man to choose for Deputy Grand.
Working with Kir is different than it was to work with Mav, though in many ways it feels the same. Both had an immense understanding of people and communication. Each was willing to step into the areas of the Brotherhood that needed their immediate attention and fix the problems that I simply could not get to. Kir, like Mav, intensely cares about doing things the right way and wants to have a lasting impact on the Brotherhood.
The stark difference between the DGMs has come in their advisory role. Whereas Mav kept me patient and always had a cautious approach to change, Kir is always pushing my limits. What I have found is that the personalities have fit the times very well; today we need some change and Kir is the right man to help me bring it forth. I appreciate his candor, his willingness to work through problems and his attention to detail.
The true brunt of this award comes tonight from Kir's work with Clan Plagueis. Although many disagreed with the decision to have Kir step in as temporary Consul, I think the writing is on the wall that his time there has been successful. The lists and lists of projects accomplished, the successful tapping of an excellent Proconsul, the training of a good base of leadership to keep the clan running -- these are things that were necessary for the Clan's survival, and Kir had the drive and experience to bring it. As his time there comes to an end, I think it is only right to thank him for what he has done.
I am looking forward to seeing what Kir will bring to the table next. He is a committed leader and we make a great team. It is an honor to have him as my Deputy.
Kir as an acknowledgement for your extraordinary service in the final months as Taldryan Consul and your first three months as Deputy Grand Master, I hereby award you with an Emerald Dagger.
Congratulations!
Grand Master Jac Cotelin
It is my honor to recommend Dark Side Adept Kir Taldrya Katarn for the Emerald Dagger. In the past two months Kir has excelled in the dual role of Consul of Clan Plagueis and as Deputy Grand Master of the Dark Brotherhood. I have had the privilege of watching Kir's impact on Clan Plagueis first hand. His leadership skills have brought order, motivation, and activity to a Clan that was struggling to find its place in the Dark Brotherhood. Kir's reconstruction plan has produced a new Clan website, a new Master/Student Program, a new Clan Logo, new Flagship and Squadron names, a new Clan "Family" name, new Clan Force Powers, new Clan RPG style ceremonies, and a new section to the Clan Newspaper. Kir has supervised the creation of each of these new projects and inspired the Clan membership to actively participate in the creation of their Clan's history.
The successes of Clan Plagueis and the projects that are currently taking place owe a great deal to Kir's leadership style. Kir had the opportunity to move into the Clan and dominate all operations. Instead, he allowed the members of Clan Plagueis to actively pursue their own ideas. Kir set a general framework and intent for the Clan to work toward and then he allowed the membership to excel and create.
Kir has handled his responsibility as Consul of Clan Plagueis with the utmost professionalism. He has encountered many situations that lesser men would have lost their tempers in; however, Kir remained calm and would seek a solution to problems that benefited all parties.
Please award the Emerald Dagger to Kir Taldrya Katarn for his success in reorganizing Clan Plagueis and for his shining example of how a leader should deal with adversity and challenge.
DJM Sarin (Sith)/P:DGM-PCON/Clan Plagueis
When Mav took a leave of absence last autumn, the responsibilities of the Deputy Grand Master went largely undone. A member of our Dark Council was missing, and a very important advisor on club affairs was no longer present. I don't know about Jac, but it left a gaping handicap on my ability to get my job done in an efficient and timely manner. Furthermore, it caused me a great deal of anxiety because it was hard to represent Mav's opinions on various topics without him actually being there. It was difficult to realize how the club could ever replace Mav when he decided to resign.
Even when Kir was selected to replace Mav, I was skeptical and uncertain. Certainly this Dark Adept knew what he was doing--after all he personally crafted one of the most successful clans in the Dark Brotherhood. Why should I be doubtful? Well, he certainly was no Mav, he seemed less than energetic during the time before his resignation as Consul, and I was not entirely familiar with his stance on several topics of concern within the DB. It's hard to bring in an unknown stranger into your house and have the utmost faith in him.
However, as it would soon be revealed, Kir Katarn was no novice to the workings of the Brotherhood. Indeed, his knowledgeable energy was a refreshing motivator. His progressive attitude was perfectly in line with ours, and when it came time to getting stuff done, Kir was a diligent workhorse, keeping us moving. The quality of work earned high marks and was thorough.
When the crisis of Clan Plagueis struck, Kir stepped in and helped rebuild a clan that many critics believed was destined for closure. Wielding a respectful yet progressive fist, Kir worked with the existing infrastructure and personnel to bolster leadership, review and revise policies, and build new infrastructure to achieve stability that the Clan has not seen in several months. As his work draws to a close, amazement simply does not begin to describe the witnesses of his labor.
What is truly amazing is that during all of his efforts as Consul of Plagueis, Kir has also done an extraordinary job as Deputy Grand Master. A reliable counsel, Kir provides reams of sound, logical advice that often provides meaningful insight. He is a great advisor for Jac -- I really can't think of anyone better suited for the job.
Kir is a friend, and I trust him just like I trust Jac or Mav. I respect him with all of the respect deserved of someone in this club who serves as Deputy Grand Master. He has filled Mav's shoes in a great way, is contributing to the stability of the Council, and has helped secure a brighter future for our organization. I can't wait to see what else Kir will help our club accomplish within the next year. Thanks Kir for all that you do!
-- DA Acxodim "DV" Pyralis, P:GM
During my time as Quaestor of House Satal Keto Kir has been both my leader as CON and a great mentor. There are few people in the DB that I trust and look to for advice as often as I do Kir. His calm and logical way of going about things have more than once kept me from doing something very stupid. He both asks the right questions and knows when it is time to push someone in the direction they need to go.
Kir has been wearing dual hats of late, serving as both the DGM and CP CON. Most leaders in the DB have a hard enough time juggling all the demands of one position let alone two very senior and demanding positions. His leadership is inspiring and clear to those under him, both with the general membership and his subordinate leaders. I fully endorse his being awarded an Emerald Dagger and finally being recognized for all the hard work and diligence he puts into the Brotherhood.
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Dark Jedi Knight Jaysen (Sith)
Quaestor, House Satal Keto
Jac Cotelin, 2006-01-16 23:00:00 UTC