On behalf of CSP, I, Grand Master Sarin, request the elevation of Thran Occasus to SBL. Congrats Thran.
GM Sarin
An elevation to the third tier of Equites is a major step in one's career within the Brotherhood. These individuals, generally, have served for a prolonged tenure in a respected position, bringing forth change and stimulating activity. In my mind, this defines the man whom held the position of Quaestor for House Caliburnus for so very, very long.
Thran stepped forward to help Scholae Palatinae find an identity and forge a new future, just over a year ago. In that time, he has held a multitude of positions - allowing us to place him where he was needed - that range from BTL, House Envoy, Aedile and Quaestor. In fact, had things played out slightly different, Thran would have been a Proconsul. But he has never let position get in the way of his duty: service to his Clan. As a Quaestor he was responsible for - believe it or not - making sure cooler heads prevailed in very tense situations that could have broke the Clan in half. He is our chief mediator and always the first one to chime in with a joke, quip or resolution when he recognizes a situation spiraling out of control.
But I do not stand here today to speak of his mediation skills, but the things that defined him as a leader, role model and icon within our Clan. We often say, "Thran is a rock star." And while many may doubt, or criticize, these comments... they simply do not see all that he does for us as a Clan. He spends hours each week grooming his House fictionally (holidays, compounds, background), in activity (monthly competitions, campaigns, quick 'n dirties) and mentorship (providing reports, advising his staff and tutelage for younger members). And this is just his day-to-day activity as a member of Scholae Palatinae.
On the clan-level, Thran has provided us with the Menagerie Project (45 pages of animals!) and is refining the process in which our members - as the Animal Clan - can have access to some exotic and rare, personal pets. Each animal has a write-up, image, facts and the whole package has a quality about it that makes it seem highly professional. Additionally, his notes and thoughts in the awarding of animals and allowing new ones in are always heard by myself and Phoenix. But he does not have our ear in this matter alone. Thran has also created a space platform for the clan (hovering above Ptolomea) that gives us a broader fictional background. He created the descriptions, images (very good images, btw) and concept... then placed it on a silver platter for us to not only accept as CSP truth, but to be utilized immediately. And speaking of space... there is no finer authority on space warfare and strategy than this man. Through two Vendettas (RoS:SD and GJW7), Thran was our tactical brilliance as he explained his moves, basic strategy and utilized an under-armed and under-manned Fleet to pull off some exceptional placings (3rd in RoS, 2nd in GJW7). It goes without saying, he was a major factor in our Fleet Reset discussion, as well.
I could truly go on and on about this incredible member. And even though he may not believe it... we love having him around and assisting us in everything we do. So it is only fitting that we provide insight from his fellow members... as we offer our thanks.
Thank you, Thran. And congratulations on a rank you have earned twice over.
Braecen Kaeth Kunar
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Over the last year I have had the pleasure and privilege to work beside Thran Occasus in various roles, and I truly can not think of anyone more deserving of the rank of Sith Battlelord. The list of what Thran has achieved since his last promotion is quite impressive: five different crescents, two legions of the scholar, a bronze nova, grand cross, Anteian cross, dark cross, seal of dominance, four seals of darkness, eight seals of pain, and four clusters of fire. However, Thran's greatest accomplishments are not those that are visible upon his dossier.
For eight months, Thran led House Caliburnus as Quaestor, working to turn a house that had become fairly stagnant into a powerful force of activity and participation. His vision and enthusiasm helped to inspire and motivate those around him. He put a tremendous effort into shaping and developing the House, from helping to guide the fictional direction of the house as well as working to recover the past history, to creating several opportunities for members to become more involved in their House. He created the Golden Iris Conflict, a four week house wide event with twelve different competitions. Thran also created and developed Dynasty Station, a house possession in the form of an orbital space station for the continued fictional development of the House. He provided the foundation of the House's wiki pages, including the House Prospectus. Thran has also done a lot of work on the Clan's Menagerie, which is a base of information on animals that serves as a resource for the Clan to use in fiction.
Thran's easy going attitude and fun loving presence on IRC always brings a bright spot to the Clan's channel, willing and able to answer questions he also takes an interest in helping those around him. He is a wealth of knowledge on many aspects of the star wars universe, and I find myself frequently turning to him for answers on things when my own knowledge falls short on a subject. He is a capable leader, a great mentor, and an invaluable friend. It has truly been an honor to work with Thran for as long as I have, and I do look forward to working with him in one way or another for a long time to come.
Congratulations Thran, thank you for everything you've done, and you definately earned this!
~Rasilvenaira StormRaven,
Quaestor, House Caliburnus
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Over the past six months that I have been in Scholae Palatinae, I have experienced Thran's enthusiasm and activity greatly. Particularly in the past four months, in which he has been my master. His activity during his reign as Quaestor, started before I was a member of the Brotherhood and CSP, and from what I have seen as a member of his House, I can only imagine what happened when I was not there.
His organisation of the GIC games for House Caliburnus spurred activity for each of the House members to take part and claim the title as the most active member. His efforts to encourage members to partake for the crescents were strongly shown both through emails to the House list, and through talking to members on IRC. He additionally achieved an Anteian Cross for his efforts in the GIC, along with his participation in the RoS and his work on projects such as the Space station. Thran's Rite of Supremacy contribution helped to lead CSP to gain second place as he paved the way for the rest of the clan to follow in means of placing in events, as well as taking part in anything he could.
As Thran's student, he has kindly taken me on since the beginning of May, changing and setting my promotion targets, both for Jedi Hunter, and Dark Jedi Knight. Although there have been times when other masters would have walked away from our partnership, Thran has stuck by me, and learnt more about how I work as a person and how I wish to see him do his 'job' as Master. He has guided me from Guardian to Jedi Hunter, and hopefully beyond. Our times together have been eventful, frustrating and fun, and I could not wish for a master more patient then Thran.
Congratulations Thran. Your promotion is more then well deserved.
Xathia dan Locut'Hal
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I haven't known Thran for as long a time as others may have, but all the more have I seen the fruits of his Works. I joined the House Caliburnus around the end of February this year, already a good time after he became the Quaestor of this house.
His work had spread far and wide by then, his nigh unlimited drive ever present, Thran takes it upon himself to motivate people in each and every way he can, going to great lengths to inspire those around him to follow his whirlwind example.
A few examples of his most excellent work would definitely include the Space station he fabricated for CSP's use. Thran was involved from the start, gathering a select number of people to do the work, laid out his vision to them, and assigned each of the team-members a particular part of the space-station for which to prepare material. Another fine example of Thran Occasus' organisational skills include the Golden Iris Conflict, He took it upon himself to motivate each and every member to aspire to fight to become the Caliburnus Champion.
Having been a summit member of House Caliburnus in the function of Roll Master under Thran's guidance, I have seen from very close how much drive he puts into his work, working with him was quite an experience for myself, an experience for the better, he sets high standards for both himself and those around him, and motivates people to exceed his standards, 9 out of 10 times achieving great success.
Thran has gathered a fair number of medals for all his work, gathering no less then 8 Seals of Pain for his valiant effort to help the Clan in dethroning the First Clan of the Brotherhood, Taldryan, as well as an Anteian Cross and a Grand Cross of the Dark Side for his most excellent work mentioned earlier. Aside of that numerous crescents for competition in several Brotherhood-wide, Clan-wide as well as House competitions.
With this I say this person has more then deserved his rise to the rank of Equite 3, for his service to both the Clan, and the House in particular.
Congratulations Thran!
Fionn dan Locut'Hal
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I am sure that his personal activity will be covered in other recommendations, so I will focus purely on the relationship between Thran and myself.
Thran Occasus is nothing short of outstanding. His work in all aspects and from all perspectives is of the highest quality available.
For his nine months as Quaestor, I enjoyed working with him. His level of insight, intelligence, and creativity is simply amazing. He has acted as a "conflict mediator" in more than one instance and I truly respect him for being such a great guy. Although we can sometimes be in disagreement, his Mind Tricks usually persuade me to take a deeper look at things and see them from all angles.
When I applied for Battleteam Leader (applicants would be assigned BTs at the end of the application period), I was fairly jubilant when I was told that I had gotten the position. But I was saddened when I was told that I would be forced to resign from Rollmaster. Weighing the options, I took Tetrarch of Drynwyn's Flame, leaving Rollmaster behind. Three days later, Thran Occasus was appointed Commander of Draco Conspicari, another battleteam of House Acclivis Draco.
When he was appointed Rollmaster of Acclivis Draco as my successor, I was - I must admit - slightly hesitant because I did not know this person who would be taking over such a delicate position. Since the House Summit felt that he was the best candidate, I decided to give him a chance. Initially, I treated him as a newbie: I gave him the important documents to work with, walked him through the whole process, until he finally said, "You don't need to do this. I've done this before."
I don't think he was intending to be offensive or aggressive, merely assertive and telling me that he was already experienced in the art of Envoying. Reluctantly, I finally let go of the position that I had held for nearly a year. You must understand, after working as Rollmaster/Envoy for nearly a year, you feel very attached and you don't want others to go around messing up your whole process.
A month after being appointed Rollmaster, he was also given a Battleteam Leader position. I felt double-crossed, betrayed, and angry that Thran (who was relatively new to CSP) was given Rollmaster AND Battleteam Leader - the combination of positions that I had wanted. Keeping my emotions inside, I turned away from the House and only focused on Drynwyn's Flame. "The House could go to hell," I thought. It was only after Saitou resigned from Quaestor after a few days of holding the position that I finally turned around and saw the chaos that was consuming Acclivis Draco.
After taking a few days to calm down from seeing so much stupidity run rampant, I applied. Cyris was appointed Quaestor and after two weeks, I was made Quaestor.
By the orders of Consul Braecen, two months after I was made Quaestor, guess who was made Quaestor of the other House, House California (or whatever)? Thran Occasus. Who was made his right-hand [wo]man? Rasilvenaira StormRaven, HAD's former Aedile.
Initially resentful and ridiculously suspicious of Thran, my attitude towards him eventually leveled out when I realized that I didn't "have" to pay attention to House Califurnace. With the "Member of the Month" "system" being planned by Consul Brae, Proconsul Pho, and the two House Summits, I used some of Thran's ideas at the urging of the Clan Summit. Realizing that they were good, juicy, ideas, I put beside my past emotions.
This was a person who had good ideas and could implement them.
For over a year, I have seen Thran grow as a leader. He has established himself as one of House Calibaboons', and ultimately Clan Scholae Palatinae's, greatest leaders. His growth has been exponential and I have seen him churn out good ideas as though it were as easy as drawing a perfect circle in Microsoft Paint. It has been eight months since he was last promoted... I believe that should be rectified immediately.
Thank you for everything, Thran.
Hugs 'n' Kisses.
--
RevengeX Palpatine
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What can I say bout Thran that hasn't already been said. He is a rockstar. He is the Yin to my yang; when I am on a tangent, he is there to talk me down or put me in my place :-P. He is an amazing leader and even better adviser. He has toiled hard to make HC the powerhouse that it is, and being the last leader of her before she was first shut down, that makes me overly proud of what he has done. Without Thran's type of humor and headstrong attitude, I feel at times we would have slipped by the wayside. So it is with great honor that I request that Thran be promoted to the Rank of Sith Battlelord.
Phoenix Olkyssagh d'Tana Palpatine
Consul of CSP
Mandalorian Declan Roark, 2007-09-20 16:28:38 UTC