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Happy New Year!!!

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Happy New Year everyone! The closing of 2007 marks the end to a transitional year in the Dark Brotherhood. Over the past twelve months we have seen five of the six Consuls and four of the seven non-clan Dark Council positions change place. In many cases these positions were held by long time Dark Council who have contributed a great amount to the Dark Brotherhood over the years, but in each case a new person has stepped up to pave the way for the Dark Brotherhood's future in 2008. 2008 is going to be a year of progression within the Dark Brotherhood as we add a new website design, a new customizable force power system, and the release of several anticipated Rebirth projects.

2008 will also continue my policy of meritocracy with leaders in the DB. I hire people who are capable of producing work and I fail those who are unable to show project completion. If you work you will be rewarded and if you are lazy you will have to go back to life as a regular member. I think everyone agrees this is how things should be done.

Enough blah blah about my excitement for the future and my evil hand of destruction for firing people. On to the report!

<p>News</p>

<p> DB Leadership Poll Results: I appreciate all of those who participated in last months DB leadership polls. It is important that the Dark Council understand the members perception of their job performance. <p> I have taken the poll data and incorporated it into the evaluations that I am doing on the Dark Council (DGM, JST, SCL complete) and have used the results as an indicator of what our leaders need to improve upon. One major area that was clearly identified was communication. In response to this I have instituted a new report policy for the non-Clan DC where they will now report two times a month. This policy includes the GM, so look for more reports from me. :p<p> Tarentum Consul: By now all of you are aware that Anshar Kahn Tarentae was selected as the Consul of Clan Tarentum. Anshar was the clear choice for this position due to several factors, but the most obvious was his ability to get things done. I think we should all applaud Anshar for his dedication to Tarentum and his desire to return to his beloved Clan. His job now is to prepare the younger members of Tarentum to serve as the leaders of the future and I have high confidence that he will do just that.

Naga Sadow Consul: Shan Long has returned to the position of Naga Sadow Consul after a unanimous discussion between myself, Macron, Shin, and many members of Clan Naga Sadow. The overwhelming support for Trev was a clear indicator that he is the man to take Naga Sadow through 2008. Trev, welcome back to the DC.

Fiction Tribune: The no brainer of the year was the selection of Raken to the position of Fiction Tribune. Raken was the writing force behind the last two major DB wide competitions as well as several DB fictional documents. Raken is also the man who I trust to write the continued DB plotline, so it only made sense to make him the new Fiction Tribune. I suggest those of you who like to write pay attention to Raken's competitions as your work will more than likely turn up in our official storyline.

Headmaster: The position of Headmaster remains open despite the application deadline ending today. Muz, Anshar, and I are going to discuss the current applicants and a decision should be made within the week. Thanks to all who applied.

Where is the Dark Voice?: The resignation of the last Dark Voice Tribune led me to the decision that the Dark Voice in its current would no longer continue within the Dark Brotherhood. In the past the Dark Voice has failed to live up to the demands that the Grand Masters have placed upon the editors. I have had several discussions with several people over the past few weeks and I will be making a final decision about the DV in the very near future. Expect something within the week.

Force Powers: If you recall my last report you may remember me stating that the new Force Powers would include 150 Force powers. I am proud to tell you that the new system will actually exceed 150 powers and has been balanced to give all of the Orders more sexy options. I am submitting my final version to the coders this week and we should see the new system in place a short time after the new website design is released (I say again, new website design first and then the force powers).

Other Clubs: The Dark Brotherhood does not prohibit its members from joining other Clubs on the internet. In fact we go as far as protecting the information and identity of our members to ensure that the option of joining other clubs is available to them. This is the internet and everyone is free to do as they please.<p> On this note, I also want to point out that we should not be banning other club's members from our channels. If members of the EH want to sit in our channels they are more than welcome. We have no fear of silly internet intelligence groups and we have nothing to hide. If someone from the EH wants to listen to me drone on about my love for the expanded universe, Oberst discussing what type of wine goes best with filet mignon, or Jac talk about his buffalo slayings, then let them. <p> The final point I want to make is responsibility. Members of the Dark Brotherhood need to remember that they will be held for their actions even if those actions take place in another club. Recently several of our members joined a club called the Struggling Galaxy. A few of these members plagiarized DB materials (ACC Guide, Obelisk Order, Knight Commander, ect...) and encouraged harassment of a DB member. This is my message to you few who have done this, if your actions continue expect my foot to go up your ass by way of the Justicar (btw, I do appreciate the speedy removal of our documents from your web forums and the deletion of the encouraged harassment post)

Darth Bane Novel: I enjoyed it for the small tidbits of Dark Side lore that can be learned from it. I know the haters have been attacking it but for those of you who lean towards Goat/Sarin fanaticism of Dark Side information, you might like it.

<p>Awards</p>

Congratulations: Work: Herald Staff for their new thing. Muz for his new things. SCL staff for their new website things. Fae for AED and her promotion. And everyone else who I cannot research due to my internet cafe $5 an hour time crunch.

Raken Quote of the Week (paraphrased): Three internet rules "If it says it is a dude, it is a dude. If they say they are a chick, it is a dude. If they say they are a kid, it is a cop."

<p>Real Life</p>

Kuwait!?!: I am stuck in Kuwait for a few days. bleh.

<p>Final Thoughts</p>

Don't burn down the house: Play nice nice while Muz and Kir are covering down for me this week. I know I am on LoA, but I am still around, so if you have that internet must be handled now emergency, be sure to state so in the subject line of your email.

<p>Done!</p>

Have a good week everyone a wish you a happy new year.</p></p></p></p></p>