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Greetings everyone and welcome to the Exodus edition of my Grand Master Report. This is a special time of year for the Dark Brotherhood because we not only take the time to celebrate our independence, but also the camaraderie we share with one another.

The following is my address from the Iron Throne that will be included in the Exodus edition of the Dark Voice. I felt it would be appropriate to also include it in this report.

Adherents of the Final Way,

On this date four years ago, Seven brave individuals stood up to tyranny. Led by Grand Master Firefox, the Dark Brotherhood cast off the yoke of Imperial oppression and declared Independence. Today, we honor and celebrate the Exodus and those who made it possible.

The motivation for the Exodus is often boiled down to the tyranny of one man, but we must also remember that it was a corrupt system that we left behind. The Seven made a conscious decision to value the rights of all members, not just the so called ruling elite. Gone are the days where we must fear that a voice of dissent will be expelled. Our members now have a living Covenant designed to protect their rights, not the Imperial Code of Justice designed to diminish them.

It is this decision that we see the justification for the Exodus. The Dark Brotherhood thrives and continues to grow while our past organization sits at the brink of extinction. We have just completed a Rite of Supremacy that saw 4200 multiplayer games played, over 700 pages of fiction created, and 300 ACC battles fought. In addition to this activity, we dominated the conflict in the Subterrel Sector and secured an Outer Rim War victory.

To honor the Exodus as a day of immortality, I can think of no better celebration than to officially recognize the Seven. On this day, signed in blood, I, Grand Master Sarin, officially place Dark Jedi Master Acxodim Pyralis, Dark Jedi Master Corran Force, Grand Master Firefox, and Grand Master Chi Long into the Hall of Immortals. They now join with the remaining seven who have already received the honor of induction.

It is fitting that on this day we also begin a new tradition. Today we award the Silver Sash for the first time under its new description. The Silver Sash is now awarded just once a year to members for their outstanding allegiance and consistent service to the Brotherhood. This year we honor a man who has revolutionized the fictional nature of the Dark Brotherhood. This year, the Silver Sash is awarded to Combat Master Dalthid. Dark Jedi Master Dalthid has been a pillar of the Dark Brotherhood and has placed the organization above his own personal needs. Dalthid’s continued selfless service and dedication is an example for all members of the Dark Brotherhood to follow and I am proud to award him with this great honor. Congratulations Dalthid!

In closing, I want to convey my appreciation to those who led the way for what we have become. I am grateful for your actions and I am proud to serve you all as Grand Master.

And now to the report!

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<p>News</p>

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Seal of Loyalty: Seals of Loyalty are only awarded twice a year, on the Anniversery of the Exodus (April 12) and on the Day of the Fox (Nov 6). They are awarded for allegiance and consistent service to the Brotherhood.The following list of Dark Brotherhood members have received the Seal of Loyalty:

Dark Council:

Brujah Tamalar

Muz Keibatsu Sadow

Anshar Kahn Tarentae

Halcyon Rokir

Kraval Novir

Braecen Kaeth Kunar

Tyno

Bane

Kir Katarn

Raken

Arcona:

Alex d'Tana

Sashar

Malidir

Naga Sadow:

Draken-Korin 'Ylith' Elariël Atema

Vladek Solander

Ashia Kagan Keibatsu

Plagueis:

Aabsdu di Plagia Dupar al'Tor

Niman Visutor

Dismal Visutor al'Tor

Scholae Palatinae:

Rasilvenaira StormRaven

Zeron

Lucius d'Tana

Taldryan:

Tarax Eosphoros Kor

Vodo Biask

Ricco Vao

Tarentum:

Windos Helkin Bruth’Kothae

Karel

Odin Vaaj Bruth'Kothae

Silver Sash: While the Seal of Loyalty recognizes numerous members of the Brotherhood, the Silver Sash instead recognizes only one such member every year for their outstanding allegiance and consistent service to the Brotherhood over the course of that year. Recipients of the Silver Sash are the true pillars of the Dark Brotherhood, many times foregoing their own personal goals and instead working towards the betterment of the club as a whole. A member may only be rewarded this honor once.

I am awarding this year's Silver Sash to Combat Master Dalthid. Dalthid has revolutionized the way the Dark Brotherhood conducts written warfare and his contributions to the Dark Brotherhood are just as varied as they are many. Congratulations to Dalthid on this great honor!

Rite of Supremacy Results: Clan: The Rite of Supremacy has concluded with Clan Taldryan victorious. Without placing a value judgement (it sucked/it rocked!) on the RoS, we can all take pride in the volume of activity displayed by the Dark Brotherhood in a short amount of time. In a fifteen day span we played over 4200 MP matches, wrote over 700 pages of fiction, and fought in 300 ACC battles. Congratulations to the Victors and to all of you who participated.

Grand Champion: Congratulations to Grand Master Jac Cotelin on becoming the individual Champion in the Rite of Supremacy. Jac performed at his customary high level of performance that we have all come to love and expect. Congratulations Jac!

Combat Master Resignation: After two years of Service as Combat Master, Dark Jedi Master Dalthid has decided to step down. As I stated above, Dalthid's contributions have revolutionized the way we think about the ACC and the entire Dark Brotherhood owes him a debt of gratitude. Thanks for all you have done Dalthid.

T:DSC Selected: Congratulations to Canis Loopus on his selection as T:DSC. Canis has worked on the Dark Side Compendium for quite a while and his work has been exceptional. Congrats Canis!

Plagueis Consul Selected: Congratulations to BubbaX on being selected Consul of Clan Plagueis. Bubba wrote an exceptional application and I look forward to seeing what he can do. Congrats Bubba!

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<p>Grand Master notes</p>

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A look back and forward:

With the celebration of the Exodus taking place this week I have been thinking a lot about why the Dark Brotherhood left the EH, why I left the EH, and why so many others have left the EH.

The EH at its best was an organization that we all loved and enjoyed, but it quickly turned into an organization led by intellectual arrogance. The birth of creativity and excitement was bled dry by a heavy handed ruler who was always right and never had a bad idea.

Recently, I have noticed that we have a bit of that intellectual arrogance happening here. I think this time of year is as good as any for all of us to remember that being an asshole is not being a leader. Speaking down to people, insulting people, and bullying people is exactly the reason many of us moved on from the EH. Yet now, those very attitudes can be seen in Clan mIRC channels and news comments.

So, my advice to everyone is to remember why we are here. Hopefully it is to have fun, enjoy the company of people you would normally never have met, and play a little Star Wars.

<p>Congratulations</p>

Promotions: Congrats to Halc on becoming a Sith Lord, Sashar on Exarch, Duga on Primarch, Braecen on Pontifex, Raken on Battlemaster, Raid on Warlord, and Vexer/Laurus/Malak/Gavan/Etah on getting their Sabers!

Family Name: Congrats to Vally abnd Nathaniel on becoming members of the Palpatine family.

<p>Real Life</p>

Baby: Okay, my kid is going to be here in like a week. My wife is now 38 weeks pregnant and her belly looks like it dropped a foot since last night. When Darth Babytus arrives this week or next, expect me to be out of the Office for two days.

1-2 and a Broken Toe: Okay, I fought in a tournament this weekend and went 1 win and two losses. I lost on an ankle lock, won on a choke, and lost on points. Oh yeah, I broke my pinky toe when it was twisted on the mat under me! Nice......

I love Alanis Morissette: This is brilliant: Alanis Morissette covering Fergie's My Humps

<p>Done!</p>

Have a good week everyone. I will be on mIRC and you can always talk to me there. If you can't get me there, try [Log in to view e-mail addresses]</p></p></p></p>