Shaz’air “Sidarace” Taldrya Rathden is the person I feel most comfortable claiming as a friend in this club. I’ve met many individuals over my time here and many have left their mark, but one stands above the rest. In terms of sheer time spent together, working together, planning together, and colluding, Sidarace stands above the rest by leaps and bounds. Its because of this relationship that when I look at what Sid has accomplished in the year since his last promotion, I’m neither surprised nor disappointed. The man is a powerhouse of activity and leadership and has left and indelible mark on this organization for the better. The promotion to the upper Equite levels is one marked by categorical selflessness in pursuit of the Brotherhood’s interests rather than one’s own and it is this creed that Sidarace has lived.

While Quaestor of then House Ektrosis, I selected Sid as my Aedile. Honestly, it was the best decision I made as a leader. From that moment on, he did all the work and my only real responsibility was approving or denying his ideas. Unlike many who burn out, lose enthusiasm, or time, Sid as maintained this zeal. I selected him as my Proconsul in the waning days of Clan Taldryan and heartedly watched as he took my unfinished projects and drove them to completion. Since we were housed and he took the reins of the now House Taldryan, he has continued this work. Taldryan’s dominion was flushed out and published to the wiki, membership activity was driven up, and new member retention increased.

His work doesn’t only extend as far as his authority however. With advent of de-clanning, Sid recognized that the culture of the Brotherhood had contributed over the last few years to its decline. He, along with Ronovi, spearheaded an effort to liaison between the House Leaderships, to make new friendships outside of their units, and to change that culture of exclusivity and create a friendlier, accepting organization. It is this effort here that I think alone qualifies him for promotion. He has taken on the mantle of roaming mentor, helpful assistant, and friend to many in an attempt to better this club and it has worked. Across the Brotherhood new member retention is up, mentorship of Journeymen to Dark Jedi Knight is up, and there is a new found camaraderie among members of opposing units.

For service to the Brotherhood, selflessly and with great effort; for work in contributing to the development of culture and mentorship in the membership at large: I ask that you elevate Obelisk Prelate Shaz’air Taldryan, Son of Taldryan, Regent of the Kr’Tal and Rybanloth Systems, Regent of the Merach Planetary System, Viceroy of Karufr and Taruma and Kaltace, Supreme Commander of the Taldryan Security Service to the well deserved rank of Obelisk Exarch with all the privileges and trappings afforded that rank.

KE Vodo Biask Taldryan Son of Taldryan

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Hmm.. what to say about one of my oldest friends (yet he's literally just turned 18) in the Brotherhood. I guess I should rant about how at every turn, even when it doesn't pertain to his own house, he is a voice of encouragement. When someone on the news page brings out a new idea, or someone getting a new job, or someone being awarded something, you can always expect Sid to say something encouraging to that person, urging them on. I've watched over the Tally mailing lists as well as the IRC channel, and there's a rare moment when a newer member or even an older member says they did something, that Sid doesn't congratulate them or tell them to keep going.

From my knowledge and digging through information, he has helped train a younger member to the rank of DJK, but also has been working on things for the greater good of his house. For one he just completed the Tri-Feud with Naga Sadow and Tarentum, helping judge all four weeks. He's also been working on creating the Master/Student Program for Taldryan since there hasn't been one prior to it.

But as of late, with most of my projects, I've been going to Sid asking him, "How do you feel about this? or how do you feel about that?" to get someone else's opinion thats a gamer, yet not a member of my staff. Sid has been an even more active gamer after the addition of PS3 games to the supported platforms of the DJB. He still does play the normal PC games, but since the PS3 has been added, he is more of the active member wanting to test himself against other members of the DB.

All in all, Sid's been a great leader, active member and mentor to members in the DJB. Congrats Sid on your promo, and Happy Birthday dude.

Fremoc Pepoi Sadow Fist of the Brotherhood Son of Sadow

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Obelisk Prelate Shaz’air Taldrya is by far the most influent Leader in my Life within the Dark Jedi Brotherhood. He has been Mentor and Friend in one Person to me, guiding me through my trials from the Rank of Protector until achieving my Knighthood. That for I would like to describe the relationship we shared not only as a Friendship but more as that of a Master and his Apprentice (thinking of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker)

Knowing that taking care and guiding a single Journeyman through the trials up to the Knighthood requires a huge amount of time, knowledge and energy; Shaz’air Taldrya displayed his awesome Qualities as Leader by taking care of the advancement of all Journeymen in his House at once to the best, first as Leader of the former House Ektrosis and later of Independent House Taldryan.

In summary I can say the effort shown by Shaz’air Taldrya as Leader of House Ektrosis and later of House Taldryan is indeed a true depiction of what it means to serve the Brotherhood in a Leadership position and should be seen as an example of all who wants to serve in a position within the Brotherhood.

Rian Aslar Tetrarch of Phoenix

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Shaz'air Taldrya (though I know him by Sidarace or Sid) was someone I had seen in name but had never really been acquainted with. That changed when we both became the Quaestors of our appropriate houses, and we began to chat regarding our projects and plans for our members. Given the fact that Taldryan-Tarentum relationships had been chilly or in some cases flat-out hostile, I was pleasantly surprised by how amicable, professional, and courteous Sid was, giving me a whole new perspective on Taldryan and its members.

A few months into both our tenures, Sid and I began to discuss the possibility of a feud between Tarentum and Taldryan. At the same time, talks were rising between Naga Sadow and Tarentum regarding a similar event, and it was Sid who was ambitious enough to suggest the tri-house feud that would later be known as "Burden, Distrust, and Loathing." While he may not have done most of the writing, Sid was the man behind most of the structure and organization. He proposed the idea of three events a week, to be graded by us Quaestors with Dark Council oversight; sent outlines to Muz for approval, initiated conversations with other leaders for ideas and improvement, and proposed an e-mail system that would more efficiently organize submissions and events. It really came down to the fact that while Sai and I were still instrumental in the creation of the feud, Sid was the one who was able to piece it all together and make it work.

I can tell just how hard Sid works to keep Taldryan strong and its hard-earned legacy alive. His house's reputation raises the stakes of his leadership, and I feel that he is doing a fantastic job. He is present, enthusiastic, and communicable - three leader traits that may seem insignificant but mean the world in the long run. You deserve this promotion, Sid, and I am happy to have become your colleague and friend in our common Brotherhood work.

Ronovi Tavisaen Tarentae Praetor to the Headmaster Former Quaestor of House Tarentum

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Sid: I told you it was big, didn't I? :) You're probably going "OMG I LOVE TAL" again... I am here today, to put forth Shaz'air Taldrya, better known as Sid to the Brotherhood at large, for promotion to the rank of Obelisk Exarch. Sid has been single handedly, one of the most valuable members Taldryan has had in it's strong history. Joining several years back, he has stuck with Tal during it's good times and bad times. Around two and a half years ago, not long after his promotion to Dark Jedi Knight, he stepped up to be Rollmaster of Ektrosis. From there, he'd work his way to Aedile, Quaestor, and then eventually Quaestor of Taldryan. He's always been a beacon of activity, and encouraged his members to participate in competitions/vendettas without being asked.

Since his last promotion, Sid has earned numerous awards. Over 150 Clusters of Fire, over 5 Crescents with varying stars, 4 Clusters of Ice, 2 Dark Side Scrolls, and a single Pendant of Blood for dominating gaming. In addition to these regular rewards, he secured himself 3 Bronze Novae, 2 Gold Novae, and 11 Seals of Defiance for his participation in Disorder; something he was never rewarded for. I'm sure without his support, the Obelisk would of struggled to take the win. Since becoming DJK, Sid has never expected to be rewarded for any actions; he simply enjoys this club and all it has to offer, working tirelessly to make it more enjoyable for everyone around them; no matter what House they may be a part of.

Sid mentored the current Phoenix Battle Team Leader, Rian Aslar, to the rank of Dark Jedi Knight. He was not required to do so, but did anyways. It is my understanding, that Sid had realized the potential that Rian held, and how he actively wanted to continue to flourish, and did all he could to make sure that Rian stuck around. When we first brought Rian Aslar on board as Battle Team Leader, we were astounded at the sheer drive he had to get things done and pump some life into the fairly inactive team. Sid is responsible for that. He taught Rian what it means to be a leader: the ideals, the appropriate way to handle situations, all of it. He did the same for me.

When I first took up the Ektrosis Aedile mantle, I was fairly brash. I still fought with others like I was a regular member, and never really took the time to look at a situation before jumping into it. With Sid's help, I was able to. And I thank him for that. Although I dare say it, he helped sculpt me into the leader I am today. Without him, I might still be that annoying little noob who jumped headfirst into conflicts and always got his butt handed to him. He's a phenomenal leader, and a great friend. I have never, not once, argued with the guy. We're almost always on the same page when it comes to the direction that we want Taldryan to take, and that really improves how well we work. He is the leader I strive to be.

Just recently, Sid worked with two other Quaestors; Naga Sadow Quaestor Sai Keibatsu, and former Tarentum Quaestor Ronovi Tavisaen to develop and run a tri-House Feud that would pit the three houses against each other, but work together fictionally. If I remember correctly, this was the first time such a thing had happened; three houses working together in unison to eliminate a threat. It could not have happened, without such a fictionally adept team. They released fictional pieces in their reports, each took time to write their own chapters when the competition was actually launched, and ensured that the grading of all entries was fair and unbiased. He helped keep Taldryan updated on the events, and made it something special.

Sid is doing something not many leaders of Taldryan have done in the past; attempt to forge positive relationships with other clans. This is critical to Brotherhood survival, and it's very rare that we see this in a member. It is my belief, and I'm sure the belief of the entire House when they themselves read these words, that Shaz'air Taldrya is more then deserving of the Taldrya name, the responsibility that comes with it, and this promotion to Obelisk Exarch. I could not have asked for a better friend and co-summit member. Congratulations, and happy birthday Sid!

Anubis Annedu Aedile of House Taldryan Wiki Tribune

Darth Aeternus, 2011-02-27 14:47:29 UTC