Zakath has been a constant, though quiet, fixture of Arcona for several years. He is one of the most calm and laid back members I know of in the Brotherhood, and his presence is extremely welcome in whatever group, channel, or email chain he participates in. This demeanor has led to him taking on many roles in the Clan since his last promotion over three years ago. He served as the temporary Quaestor of Galeres in 2010, stepping up when his QUA was on an extended leave of absence. During this time he took on a new Aedile, Juda, and appointed Xuthen as Battleteam Leader of Sukhar's Legion, training both of these members in their positions, and leading the House through the Rite of Supremacy Spoils of War, assisting Arcona in achieving 4th place. In 2012 he once again stepped up when needed, serving as Battleteam Leader of Shadow Gate after I had left the position for Aedile. Zakath served for four months, transforming an inactive battleteam into a thriving group of active members, bringing his members up to speed on Clan news and events through email and IRC, and participating in his own members' competitions. During the Family Feud, Zakath led from the front, pushing his members to participate in the four-week Clan event, while also obtaining 3rd place in ACC, 3rd place in Fiction, and 2nd in Wk4 Hunt the Jedi competition, helping bring about its widely-acclaimed success. During his tenure he ran the Defending your Nuts competition, SG Sharpshooting competition, Establishing an SG Presence, and the Shadow Gate Motto competition, which resulted in the new tongue-in-cheek SG motto, "The Shadow knows..." For his efforts as BTL he was awarded an Anteian Cross.
Zakath has not only been an exemplary member and leader, but also a fantastic mentor to boot. Leading doesn't mean throwing out competitions. Leading doesn't mean placating the members. Being a leader involves listening to the membership, engaging with them and providing them not only with the tools to enjoy themselves (as you see in competitions) but also the information required to progress within the Brotherhood system. Leading is a balancing act between being a friend, a deliverer of exciting opportunities and being a strong resilient mentor. During his time in Shadow Gate, Zakath demonstrated undoubtedly, unequivocally, unabashedly, that he was able to do this and so, so very much more. Not only did he provided for his members, but he also managed to inspire the membership back into activity - lest we forget that Shadow Gate went from being a stagnant resting ground for members of the Clan to being the single most active battleteam Arcona had seen for years. This was no mean feat. It required dedication, time, and, most of all, listening to the wants of the membership. Its this key leadership skill that Zakath inherently possesses, and it is this which enabled him to drive his battleteam to bulldoze through expectations and cement their role as one of the lynchpins of Arcona's success.
After Battleteam Leader, he remained an active member of Arcona, participating in competitions throughout the year, such as Need for Speed, Simple Simon, Dozens of Games Round 9 (third place), and won an ACC match against Andrelious, as well as participated in the ACC 5th Championship ladder. He participated in the Clan-wide event Operation Rolling Thunder ACB, RO, and ACC, helping bring success to that event as well. In Trials of Loyalty Clan event, he placed 3rd in the Wk1 Team Name/Logo competition, earning an Emerald Star. In the Beyond the Horizons Arcona/Plagueis Feud, he participated in the Wk1 flash game and earned himself a Dark Cross for going above and beyond to encourage the rest of the membership to participate. During Project Redacted, Zakath provided insight for his team that went into the background writing for the rewrite of House Qel-Droma's fictional history and was awarded a Dark Cross for his contribution. Most recently, Zakath has helped set the bar with Dark Crusade activity, having participated in the Avenger II RO, and the Round 1 Graphics and SA course, as well as the Round II SA Course, RO, Fiction, and Graphics, no doubt becoming an important facet for Arcona's 1st place success on Rhelg.
On top of all of this, Zakath has also been the mentor of Andraste, assisting her to the rank of PRT, as well as having recruited and currently mentoring Nath Voth, who is now the rank of Jedi Hunter and very close to DJK. Nath became a great asset to Arcona, becoming a BTL and successfully leading Dark Forge through the Dark Crusade, no doubt due to Zakath's diligence as her mentor. He has also served as a great sounding board for myself as I rose through the Summit, his wisdom as a long-time veteran and his friendship simply invaluable to me.
Zakath has been a great leader, a wonderful member, and a fantastic mentor to two great students in the three years since his last promotion. He's become a permanent fixture in Arcona and a welcome asset, his efforts as a leader, member, and mentor much deserving of the rank of Equite 2. Thank you for leading from the trenches, Arcona would simply not be the same without you.
~Socorra Erinos, Quaestor of House Qel-Droma
Selflessness is a trait many proclaim, but few genuinely have. Many people are not willing to devote their time and energy freely; even less are willing to devote that time without conscious want of reward. But Zakath, or Ninj/Dan as he is known, transcends that concept. He goes beyond what one can feasibly expect from a member of Arcona and demonstrates his unfaltering ability to step up to the plate when the time requires.
I have known Ninj in both a leadership capacity when he took over Shadow Gate, and also as a member. I can say without hesitation that this man is devoted, he is willing and he is driven. He is the quintessential member and I am not only proud to call him a member of Arcona, but honoured.
Socorra has written the substance on this recommendation so I will let her go into the details of his accomplishments. From me, all I'd like to say is that this promotion has been deserved for a while, and I'm proud to be writing a recommendation today.
Congratulations, Dan. You've earned it.
~Wuntila Arconae. Consul. Clan Arcona.
Zakath or Dan as he's affectionately known within Arcona, has been a constant fixture within the Shadow Clan for as long as I can remember. I remember serving as Aedile alongside Zakath in the same position back in 2010. He was dedicated, motivated and worked tirelessly to bring the members activities, lore and generally make them feel invested in the unit. He and I worked together during Project Reboot that saw Battleteams become preeminent within Arcona, an experiment that had mixed successes that brought many future leaders to the fore. Dan always takes time out to help Arcona, whether it is talking to new members and making them feel welcome or submitting to event after event to help his unit out in a vendetta. He has been someone who has influenced me as a member and a leader and I'm glad to call him a friend. Zakath more than deserves this promotion to Sith Battlemaster. Congratulations mate.
Sanguinius Tsucyra Entar
Quaestor of House Galeres
I've known Ninj since before I rejoined the DB some 7 years ago, and I don't think I'm embellishing when I say that he's one of the nicest members that I've had the pleasure to lead or work with. He is approachable, easy-going and more than willing to lend a hand or offer advice as and when it is needed. He teaches and leads without having to hold a position, which is something that is more and more becoming something that we don't see enough of, and he does it all without drawing attention to himself or kicking up a fuss. He is, to put it simply, the sort of member that every leader wishes they had many more of.
However, it isn't just his ability to help his fellow man that makes Ninj such a good egg to have around; it is the fact that he is fundamentally a fun guy to be around. As I mentioned earlier, his nature of being easy to approach and more than willing to share a joke means that when people do come on IRC, they can chat with him and he can help to cheer them up without him seeming to try. He is one of the few people that I have never heard a bad word said about and it really is no surprise why to those of us who know him.
Ultimately though, Ninj deserves a promotion because he has more than earned it. He is willing to stand up and be counted, and for that reason and many others detailed by someone with a much more tedious job around here than I, Ninj is more than worthy of this promotion.
Keep being awesome Ninj, you've earned this and then some.
SWL Nadrin Erinos Arconae
It's easy for us to recognize long term stints of leadership, but in a volunteer club, not everyone has this luxury. It's much harder to quantify what a member does for a unit when their activity is disparate. This is the case I see when looking at Zakath. I've had the pleasure of working with him on multiple levels in the time that I have known him. We have old ties going back to the BHG over 8 years ago. Ninj, the nickname we still use for him today, is a really unique member. He is one of those members that fades in and out, but is always there in one shape or form. As a leader in Arcona the past 3 years, I've watched him step up in multiple occasions when asked. His service as Gate Warden (BTL) of Shadow Gate was a personal favor to me, and through it I watched him win over the rest of the Arconan summit as well. His life has ups and downs, just like most of ours, and sadly he's had to step away when times have gotten rough. But when ever Arcona needs him, Ninj always finds a way to get back into the fold. He has recently stepped up and was an invaluable piece to Arcona's victory on Rhelg. Again, he just has a way of showing up when we need him most. He's a loyal member, works his ass off, and has honestly never complained to me when I've asked him to work on something. He served as co-Comissioner of the Arcona Contract Bureau, and was huge in helping me keep up with the contracts, come up with unique prompts, and even grade them in a timely manner. We are all slaves to our real lives sometimes, but Ninj continues to find ways to stay connected, help, and inspire. He brought us a recruit in Nath Voth who has been a great addition to our team, who as a result brought in Atiryu as well. This is just another thing Ninj does that doesn't fully go noticed.
So, I humbly add my voice to this already powerful recommendation for Ninj- because he deserves it. Never forget how much you mean to Arcona, Ninj. We love you buddy.
-Marick Arconae
Proconsul
Clan Arcona
Over the years Zakath has held multiple Summit positions. He has proven himself to be a solid and dependable leader that Arcona can turn to when they need such a person to push a position forward. His willingness to take on this additional responsibility is inspiring, often stepping into positions and training his successors in the process. It's been said that the success of a leader or a person in general is not defined in their achievements, but in the achievements of the individuals that follow in their footsteps and are mentored by them. Zakath's ability to teach future leaders of this Club is commendable, and I can think of no more fitting reward for him than this promotion to Sith Battlemaster. Congratulations Zakath! Well done!
Valhavoc
Aedile, House Qel-Droma
General Socorra Tenebrosa Nhar’qual Erinos, 2013-04-02 14:42:11 UTC