Quaestor Report

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Quaestor Report

Good evening, House Acclivis Draco!

Welcome to the most magnificent House of the Brotherhood. In case you did not know, House Acclivis Draco has a long tradition of being the best, the greatest, and having the wildest, hottest parties.

December 31st is the last day of the year 2007. (No duh, old man!) For some of you, 2008 has already begun. (Get on with it, ya senile geriatric!) New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are times of celebration, of embracing friendships, and of realizing that the world, and time itself, has yet to end. (I'm a party animal! Whoooooo!!!) The clocks continue to "tick-tock," and the world continues to spin. We continue to breath, and my fingers continue to type this.

In addition to all of these things, December 31st and January 1st are times of reflection. On December 31st, we look to the past. We realize how much we have, or have not, accomplished, and we realize that we survived. On January 1st, we look to the future. The future is a large, haunting mist. It's uncharted, wild territory. Anyone can make a plan for the future, but no one knows if that plan would actually hold up as we wade through the swamps and deep waters, as we fight through the hordes, and as we sip on hot cocoa while sitting in large, poofy armchairs.

Remember that this is our House. Just because I am Quaestor does not mean that it is "my" House. Everything that I do affects you, a fellow member of our House - a fellow family member. Besides, we all pay rent and we all watch TV together, so it's our House. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Now that that's out of the way... take a moment and look back on 2007. For many of you, this was your first year in the Dark Jedi Brotherhood. From the perspective of your House's Quaestor, 2007 was a year of accomplishment, progress, and excitement. When I write four digits on lined paper, they appear small, but they carry so much significance and importance in their own eerie way. (I write my numbers BIG!)

House Acclivis Draco, what do you think of when you think of this glorious year? (Your ugly face!)

We, as a cohesive unit, have made great [drunken] strides. It's been a long year. It's been a great year. You all have contributed to our growth and success, and I thank you.

Before I really delve into this New Year's Address, I'll give a short summary for those of you who only want to skim the entire thing:

  • I rock, you rock, we rock. HAD rocks and CSP rocks.
  • 2007 was awesome, but 2008 will be even more awesome.
  • Battleteam changes are forthcoming: Dragon Seraphim closes and Ebon Cloak and Dragon Guard reopen. Battleteam Leader positions are open NOW until January 17th, 2008!
  • We have a House IRC channel, so I'm going to use it.
  • We have a few events planned for you folks, so look forward to those.
  • Thank you for a wonderful year, and I really look forward to seeing what we can do in 2008. THE PAST:

Before I address the House's future, I would like to take a moment to recap on all that our Clan, Clan Scholae Palatinae, has done this past year:

January 2007 - The year looked bright. After completing a very successful House feud, the new leaders of the Clan were excited to see what we could make happen.

February 2007 - Our Clan engages Clan Arcona, but we lose an embrassing, yet hard-fought, battle. Our Clan's leaders take the wisdom acquired from this loss and quickly use it as learning material.

March 2007 - After a few weeks of mortal combat, our Clan is awarded second place in the Rite of Supremacy: Second Darkness! We are awarded the title of "Second Clan of the Brotherhood"!

May 2007 - Using that success, our Clan launches into the first annual Summer Games, which is a very successful event. (House Acclivis Draco has the higher number of participants!)

May/June 2007 - Houses Acclivis Draco and Caliburnus run their own events, Missio Draconis and the Golden Iris Conflict, respectively.

July/August 2007 - Our Clan places second in the Eighth Great Jedi War after many weeks of fighting and inspirational speeches! We maintain our status as the Second Clan of the Brotherhood and we show the other Clans that our placement in the RoS wasn't a one-timer. (House Acclivis Draco has the higher number of participants!)

September 2007 - Massive leadership shifts occur throughout the Clan, but House Acclivis Draco does not budge. Personally, I prize stability over newblood. House Dorimad Sol is opened.

October 2007 - House Acclivis Draco engages its siblings, Houses Caliburnus and Dorimad Sol in the "Reclamation of Judecca". After being dead last for four long weeks, we win by a very narrow margin. Aedile Cooch and Quaestor RevengeX man-hug each other... on the internet. (October 9 - RevengeX celebrates being Quaestor for one entire year.)

December 2007 - We cool down and the Winter Games begin on the 26th. (Happy holidays!)

As you can see, 2007 was simply... amazing. Awexome even. (Awexome > Awesome.) However, I have a feeling that 2008 will be even b3tt3r. (B3tt3r > Better.) Throughout 2007, we improved. Throughout 2008, we will improve. In 2007, we made it clear that we are the greatest House of Clan Scholae Palatinae. In 2008, why not become the greatest House of the entire Dark Jedi Brotherhood?

It's a high goal, but I feel that we can reach it. We have the potential to push away the dominant powerhouses, like House Dinaari of Clan Taldryan, in order to be seen as the best. We have to make our name known, and I know that we can do it. It all depends on you, me, and everyone in between.

THE FUTURE:

We have quite a lot coming our way, actually. Although a lot of stuff has been in development for months and months, and although many deadlines and releases have been pushed back, I promise that these things will happen. (In my opinion, the reason why these releases were pushed back further and further is because I was afraid to impose change and reform upon this traditionally traditional House, but now I know that it is time to put these plans into action.)

Although I make plans, it is you who actually shapes the House.

Battleteams... Beginning in February 2008, I will be implementing a slightly redesigned Battleteam system. Although more information will be released on later dates, here is a brief overview of what will happen:

  • Dragon Seraphim will close. (The Order of the Dragon will continue as a bi-monthly program to recognize the most active member of the House.)
  • Dragon Guard and Ebon Cloak will reopen.
  • New members will NOT be automatically assigned a Battleteam.
  • Dragon Guard = Active members at or above Dark Jedi Knight; Leadership training/experience for Dark Jedi Knights, Equites, and Elders.
  • Ebon Cloak = Promising new members (Protector - Jedi Hunter) led by an experienced, knowledgeable Equite or Elder.
  • I will not micromanage; instead, I will try to act as a guide. If I do, slap me with a rubber chicken, a drunken Timbal, a Phoenix, and a trout.
  • A member may be the Battleteam Leader of Dragon Guard for a maximum of six months. There is no maximum for Ebon Cloak. Basic benefits of doing this:

  • Dragon Guard: It gives a chance for other members to lead and try their hand at leadership.

  • Ebon Cloak: It takes a bit of the load off of Cooch and myself.

  • It allows for more competitions to be run and more medals to be earned.

  • It allows the House and Clan Summits a look into whether or not you would be good for higher positions. And now, the "fun" announcement: The position of Battleteam Leader for both Ebon Cloak and Dragon Guard are now open! Please note that these are only RECOMMENDED (not REQUIRED) qualifications.

Common Recommended Qualifications:

  • Has been in House Acclivis Draco for at least two months.
  • Is willing to work with the current Quaestor and Aedile.
  • Is willing to track activity of Battleteam members and notify the Quaestor and Aedile when a member has surpassed initial expectations.
  • Is willing to impose an atmosphere of fun. Ebon Cloak Recommended Qualifications:

  • Holds the rank of Krath Priest/Obelisk Templar/Sith Warrior or above.

  • Has been in the Dark Jedi Brotherhood for at least one year.

  • Is willing to release at least one competition per month.

  • Is willing to guide new members with patience, steadiness, and knowledge. Dragon Guard Recommended Qualifications:

  • Holds the rank of Dark Jedi Knight or above.

  • Has been in the Dark Jedi Brotherhood for at least four months.

  • Is willing to release at least two competitions per month. Please send your applications to Cooch and myself by January 17th, 2008!

CSPer vs. HADer... Someone brought this idea to me in their response to my "2008: What Do You Want To See?" email. This person wanted more focus on the "HADer," and not the "CSPer." A "CSPer" is a member of Clan Scholae Palatinae. An "HADer" is a member of House Acclivis Draco. This idea was brought up because he noted that the other Houses were obviously inferior, and he wanted to maintain a sense of individualism and difference from our siblings. (Are you just going to sit there and take that, House Caliburnus and House Dorimad Sol?)

While our House is blatently greater in every possible way, all three Houses make up a Clan - our Clan. (Ooooohh, BBBBUUUUUUURRRRRRRNNNNNNN! Want some aloe?) And now, the ultimate question:

Do you see yourself as a CSPer or an HADer?

Depending on the occasion, I, personally, and understandably, go either way. For example, when we're battling through a Great Jedi War, I see myself as a CSPer because this is one of the only times where the entire Clan has to unite in order to score big and win big; however, when we're in one of those "lulls" or there's a House feud between the Houses of Scholae Palatinae, I see myself as an HADer because I'm fighting for House Acclivis Draco and I'm hoping that House Acclivis Draco will prevail.

Throughout my time as Quaestor, I have attempted to impose the idea of "HADer AND CSPer" upon the members of our House. (No, "AND" is not an acronym in this case.) When I was Tetrarch of Drynwyn's Flame (which only lasted for two months before I got booted up to the Quaestor chair), things were... crazy... so I tried to impose the idea of "Member of Drynwyn's Flame" on the members of the Battleteam.

Members of House Acclivis Draco, who are also members of Clan Scholae Palatinae, how do you want to see yourself?

House IRC Channel... As you should know by now, our House has its own IRC channel on the Undernet server. Join us in #acclivisdraco !

#acclivisdraco will serve as a way for you to witness House news and announcements. In addition, I intend to scrape up some "HAD-only" events that will be held in there. It was suggested that "classes" be held in #acclivisdraco. It is an excellent suggestion, and I intend to use it to relay some information in a seminar-like atmosphere that do not take away duties from the current Wards and Clan Summit. Classes could be about, well, anything at all...

I have a few ideas right now, but none of these ideas are tangible enough to be turned into anything more than a 5-minute conversation... Here are possible "titles" of my ideas that hopefully give you a feel of what kind of classes I mean: - Communicating with your House Summit - What Does "Activity" Mean? - Vendettas: What to Expect - Stepping through the Journeyman Ranks - The Equite Class: How to Enter and Progress If you have any other ideas or suggestions, please feel free to contact me... you might be the class teacher for your subject!

Now, rules for our House IRC channel. I do not wish to be strict about #acclivisdraco, but it is necessary that we develop a framework of rules and restrictions so that people don't go crazy. (KKKKKKKRAAAAAAZZZZZZZZZEEEEEEEEEEE!) I intend to keep an all-ops policy in #acclivisdraco, like in #scholae. Here are some very basic rules that should be adhered to: - No excessive swearing. (You should know what "excessive" means. If ya don't, you might feel a boot touch your underside before you fly away to Mars.) - Do not ban another person without contacting a House or Clan Summit (Quaestor, Aedile, Consul, Proconsul) member. (Yes, you can ban yourself...) If you stick to these rules, you will be fine. If you don't, you better watch your step!

In addition, I plan on registering #acclivisdraco with X, which is the official Undernet bot. If you have a CService nickname and are willing to support our registration, please shoot me an email. If you do not have one, but are interested in getting one, you can register here: http://cservice.undernet.org/live/.

Upcoming Events... In case you were in House Acclivis Draco in November and December 2007, you will know that I alluded to a 10-day event in my reports and emails. (If you didn't catch that, that's okay... you're still special.) Well, to tell the truth, I'm not entirely sure if this competition will be happening anytime soon. It's unfortunate, but I simply do not want to hit you with layers and layers of competitions without some rest. If I keep charging at you with events, everyone, including me, will get sick, tired, and burnt-out... and that won't be any fun.

In one of my reports (I don't remember the exact, or even approximate, date), I was talking about a possible House feud with House Ektrosis, which is the predominantly Krath House of Clan Taldryan. (In case you didn't know, House Acclivis Draco is the predominantly Krath House of Clan Scholae Palatinae.) I talked with Ektrosis' current Quaestor, Hel-Pa Sklib (he's a cool guy), a couple months ago when I brought up the spontaneous idea from the netherworld. No definite plans or dates have been laid out yet, but this is something that I really want to do. Not only will a House feud against a House from another Clan test our mettle, but it will also provide a fun experience that we can learn from in order to prepare for the next Great Jedi War.

Finally, your beloved Aedile, Cooch, is planning an awesome competition for you all. So look forward to this in February or March!

I also plan on creating more quick, fifth-level Crescent, competitions like flash games, haikus, and line poems. So, look for these soon.

Descriptions Development... I am sure that all of you have heard about the "Descriptions Development" project for quite awhile now. I apologize for the delays and everything that has been holding the project back.

The "Descriptions Development" project contains two main parts: Facilities and Rituals. The Facilities document is currently over 10,600 words long and spans over 24 pages. The Rituals document will be put together from the writs of your fellow House-mates who had agreed to contribute and help with this project.

I plan on releasing the Facilities document in late January. (Yes, this will require a lot of dedication from me.) I plan on releasing the Rituals document in early March. Be my witnesses and slap me if I screw up with these deadlines.

AWOL Checks... (A note for our newer members: An "AWOL Check" is a tediousOur entire Clan had an AWOL Check for Apprentices, Novices, and Acolytes in November, and Consul Phoenix and Proconsul Lucien plan to conduct another check for Protectors, Guardians, and Jedi Hunters in the near future. Because of these exhaustive Clan-wide processes, I do not think that we will be having a House-exclusive AWOL Check anytime soon.

Please note, however, that your House and Clan Summits have the right to remove you from the roster if you have one of the following qualifications:

  • No activity for at least two months (without notifying your House Summit in advance that you either have computer problems or offline obligations).
  • A bouncing email address.
  • Become disruptive and threatening to other Clan members. (Yes, I realize this is a bit vague, but I hope that you all can understand what this means.)

Contact Me...? If you have any ideas that have the potential to better our House and Clan, please contact me and Cooch. We love to hear from our slaves! I mean... uh... I ought to just stop now, right?

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You... Thank you for a wonderful year. Thank you for a wonderful House. Thank you for a wonderful future. I look forward to fighting with all of you on the battlefield, supporting all of you at home, and working with all of you to better yourselves.

Viva la Casa de Dragón Creciente! (I apologize if that's incorrect Spanish!)

See you in the year 2008!

--

Signed and Sealed on 31 December 2007,

Krath Epis RevengeX Palpatine

Proud Quaestor of House Acclivis Draco for 1 Year, 2 Months, 22 Days

Son of Palpatine

--

KE RevengeX Palpatine (Krath)/QUA-EP-FIC-Wiki/Acclivis Draco of Scholae Palatinae [KSOE: FENV] [ACC: CN:1]

SB / GC / SC-SoA / AC-ToSL / DC-GP / GN-BL / SN / BN-BL / Cr-1D-3R-13A-19S-22E-7T-10Q / PoB-AuL / CF-SpF / DSS-AgL / SI-BL / SoF-AgL / SoL-TC / LS-EL / S:-4Al-9C-17D-6Do-6Dk-17P

{SA: MVN - DML - DMP}

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