Jusadih System Sigil 2 Vongformed Jungle

_The metallic legs of the walkers thudded almost rhythmically as they spread through the gap in the yorik spires, their pilots scanning left and right to survey the area. Versatile and small, the AT-STs were one of the few vehicles reliable anywhere in the jungle. As something heavy stirred in the bushes, a volley burst forth from one of the AT-ST's cannons, sending freakish birds and reptiles into the air in a panicked rush. Three platoons of black-armored soldiers dropped into formation instantly, raising their rifles and aiming at the mottled leaves that smoldered with a black, sap-thick fire.

"You there, Vorst," the Leiutenant said, motioning to the corpse, "Check it out."

Nodding and without complaint, the trooper obliged. Advancing slowly, he brushed back the bluish fauna and glanced at the corpse. Its side was obliterated, one of its two legs laying a few feet away, but it was identifiable nonetheless. "Confirmed kill. One of those Umrach things." Looking deeper into the bushes, at the razor-tipped mouth tentacles and the robed legs sticking out of them, the man stopped to look at the scenery behind the other bushes. It wasn't a pretty sight.

Dead troopers, some of them ripped or slashed in half, others stabbed or burnt with acid, covered the ground. Surrounding them were the bodies of reptilian chazrach, as well as other humanoids of all species. Dressed in clothing that was all spine and membrane, they all stood out for one feature; there was a sharp barb of surge coral in every forehead. The troopers far outnumbered the thralls and chazrach, showing who had been the victor. The battle had been over for hours, judging by the insects all over the bodies.

"Sir," Vorst said, reaching into the slimy mouth of the Umrach and pulling free a mucous-coated lightsaber, "We've got a situation here. You'd better alert Command."

News

Feast your eyes, ladies and gentlemen, on the prelude to our Reboot event! That's right, it'll involve our very own Vong Jungle, left behind when the Yuuzhan Vong so kindly burnt Sigil 2's surface to lava and ash in the Eighth Great Jedi War! It's a place full of life but devoid of the Force, except where the faintest remains of bases or cities can be found. It's a place that was wild, feral, and ours alone to explore and inhabit... or so we thought.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, what a showing for the first month after the Reform. No fewer than 23 people have contacted us with their Branch choices! That's a hell of a start, but there are many more to go! If you have yet to choose a Branch for House Plagueis' Military Merit System, email me with your choices ASAP! It won't be long until the Reboot Event is complete, at which time any who haven't chosen will be auto-sorted at random into the four Branches. You'll be able to switch in the future, but nevertheless, we need to get everyone into the system!

Awards, awards, awards! In total, we've had rewards in the form of Scrolls, Crescents, Clusters of Fire, and Merit Medals. Altogether, they come to a total of 116 Awards! Compared to months before, even July, that rips apart past activity records! Way to go, Plagueis, I'm proud to call myself your Quaestor! Also, I'd like to congratulate those ladies and gentlemen dominating the Voice competitions time and again! The Ascendant House showed a strong performance on the playing field by placing in four out of five competitions! Excellent work on the fictional front!

It saddens me to say that my competitions didn't have the best turnouts. That said, while I didn't recieve more than one or two fiction submissions, the work done elsewhere in and out of House more than makes up for it. From wiki articles and graphics to event creation and competition hosting, you've all shown me that there are some definite powerhouses of activity within our House! I can't wait to see what you all do when you start fighting at full capacity!

In other news, I must regret the retirement of a steadfast face. Battlemaster Vivackus Kavon has decided to put more time into the duties of the Combat Master and the Intelligence Directorate, and is stepping down from the post of Aedile! With the seat of Lieutenant Supreme Commander of the Regime and Aedile of House Plagueis now open, it's only a matter of time before some eager newcomer takes the stage. More on that in a later section of the report. May the battle between you all be close, heated, and bloody!

General Competitions

<i>Hosted by the Voice of the Brotherhood:</i> [Voice] Create an Order: http://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/dbjedi/competition.php?id=5235 [Voice] Defining an Order: http://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/dbjedi/competition.php?id=5236 [Voice] Load the Can(n)ons #2: http://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/dbjedi/competition.php?id=5237 [Voice] Report Lyrics: http://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/dbjedi/competition.php?id=4978

<i>Hosted by the Fist of the Brotherhood:</i> [Gaming] Take Down the Station [EaW]: http://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/dbjedi/competition.php?id=5216 End of Year Gaming Awards: http://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/dbjedi/competition.php?id=5118

<i>House Plagueis Competitions:</i> JO and BF Massacre: http://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/dbjedi/competition.php?id=5215

<i>DJB-Wide Competitions:</i> [[DJBWiki]] But wait, there's more!: http://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/dbjedi/competition.php?id=5234 #Tarentum Trivia: http://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/dbjedi/competition.php?id=4761

Future Plans

During September, probably spanning over three weeks, we will have the infamous Reboot Event! It will be a hectic series of competitions and events that kicks the Military Merit System back into action! First we shall see Merit Points set back to zero, followed by a calculation of all rewards and exams since my reign began. These points will be added to the Points of the members that earned them, followed by competitions worthy of points beyond imagining! Medal points will be multiplied. Participation will be rewarded with points. There may even be a side job or two worth a couple of points during the event. Rest assured, people, this Reboot will only happen once! When we have everyone sorted and assigned in the aftermath of the Reboot, we'll be ready to smash some heads in during the Rite of Supremacy in October.

Following the Reboot is the Great Plagueian Wiki Repair. This will be a long-term project, during which Plagueis articles will all be resorted, added to, adjusted, and updated to fit the highest standards. From the smallest, weakest speeder in our Order of Battle to our House page itself, we'll be bringing the Plagueian area of the Wiki to a level it's never been at before. It'll be a great time to get your name out there, contribute to the whole, and maybe even score some juicy medals for yourselves.

After the Rite of Supremacy, we'll be cracking open the eggshell on the Foxtrot Uniform Training System. This will be our new Master/Student Program, based off of what I'd begun with the Rule of Two Program before Clan Plagueis was made into House Plagueis. We will turn what has long been a disparate setup of vague education into a solid and united body of Masters, presiding over Students and Prospective Students with the care of an artisan craftsman. This will allow us to increase member skills, develop solid bonds of unity, and even host fun Master-Student events and competitions.

Joining the Army this month, we have:

DJK Du'moth DJK Koga Kage OP Yzarc Rellik Kaeth di Plagia DJK Ralph Vundu PRT Furios SW Sarak Shai DJK Kodais Solatus ACO Navrez

Welcome to the Jusadih Armed Forces, guys!

Dark Jedi Knight Koga Kage ran the competition What Are You Made Of? While its participants were underwhelming in number, it's good to see some devotion to the House from the ranks. Keep up the good work, Kage!

My competition for the Army Branch, [Army] Belly of the Beast, only recieved one entry. That said, congratulations should go to Sith Warrior Sarak Shai for his superb piece of writing! Also, he should be commended for earning a Dark Cross for his work on the Reboot Event! Turns out even a Vong can be great in the DJB, exceptional effort, Sarak!

Obelisk Prelate Yzarc Rellik Kaeth di Plagia has been hard at work on our Ground Forces reorganization! Getting our troopers and equipment sorted into working units is a tricky job, but if you want to lend the blue-armored ex-Mandalorian of Plagueis a hand, just shoot him an email and CC me. Excellent initiative! Precisely what I expect of a di Plagia, Zarc!

Guardian Furios has been hard at work this month. Designing a helmet for Yzarc and helping out his shadowy allies at the Intelligence Directorate, he has also engaged myself in a heated ACC battle. Added to this are his 20 Clusters of Fire, more than anyone else so far for the month, one Crescent each with Emerald and Amethyst stars, and a Dark Cross. During that time, he earned a Promotion to Guardian. Superb performance, Furios!

Joining the Navy this month, we have:

JH Tiberius di Cloud DJK Maol Nor Lexu KAP Kaira Rohana OE Alaris Jinn di Plagia ACO Raith Grak

Welcome to the Jusadih Fleet, ladies and gents!

My Navy competition, [Navy] Boarding Action, recieved a couple of entries. Both participants will be receiving rewards very soon!

One of these, Jedi Hunter Tiberius di Cloud, has stepped up to the plate this month. In addition to placing in Boarding Action, he should be congratulated for earning a Dark Cross! Good work, Tibs!

Protector Imichua will also be receiving a Crescent for his submission. He's also earned fifteen Clusters of Fire and a Crescent with Sapphire Star. He ran the competition Director of your Favorite Star Wars scene and is currently running the competition JO and BF Massacre, so get out there and keep him busy by gaming. Great work, Imichua!

Krath Archpriestess Kaira Rohana continues to be active even when strained for time. She has earned 13 Clusters of Fire and three Crescents, Emerald, Sapphire, and Amethyst stars respectively. Added to her work as RM, she's a busy bee as ever. Thanks for all the effort, Kaira!

Dark Jedi Knight Maol Nor Lexu has shown his face to the DJB at large by earning two Crescents with Amethyst Star. Also, he is hard at work designing graphics for a new base to be located on Morroth. Keep up the hard work, Lexu!

Joining the Directorate this month, we have:

JH Unus Domus OPM Denath Ciarus DJK Jendan Morgana PRT Visius SW Cassandra El'sin DJK Mograine DJK Voden Arjin KPN Alex D'Tana SBM Vivackus Kavon di Plagia

Welcome to the Jusadih Intelligence Directorate, ladies and gentlemen.

My competition for the Directorate, [Intel] Blown Cover, recieved only a single entry. Still, good work to the participant!

Jedi Hunter Unus Domus, my student, has stepped up in a huge way. He has taken on the task of overseeing and coordinating the redesign of the Intel Branch as a whole. Aside from this, he has earned a Dark Cross for his Wiki work and has earned 16 Clusters of Fire. Good work, my young apprentice!

Dark Jedi Knight Voden Arjin has just transferred into Plagueis, and already has been hard at work. For putting together the Codename: Stygium wiki article, he has earned himself a Dark Cross. He has also managed to earn a Dark Side Scroll and continues to work within the Intel Branch. Excellent work, Voden!

Protector Visius has recently come to Plagueis from the Rogues. In that time, he has completed four Shadow Academy exams and has earned a promotion to the rank of Protector. Keep up the good work!

Sith Warrior Cassandra El'sin has shown the DJB what Plagueis can do by taking First Place in a Voice competition! Congratulations on the Crescent with Ruby Star! Way to dominate the playing field, Cassie!

Dark Jedi Knight Mograine has been hard at work. He has earned 4 Clusters of Fire and a Crescent with Topaz Star. He was the one participant in Blown Cover and will recieve a crescent for it. In addition, he has undertaken a huge task of his own free will and is currently outlining and designing the layout for the redesigned Intel Branch. Great initiative, Mog!

Dark Jedi Knight Jendan Morgana has earned 2 Clusters of Fire and 2 Scrolls of Foundation. In addition, she has earned the Milestone rank of Dark Jedi Knight! Good job, Morgana!

Joining the Corps this month, we have:

DJK Octavia Kuga SW Vexer Thrace SW Dismal Visutor SWL Vessicant

Welcome to the Jusadih Starfighter Corps, guys and girls.

My Corps competition, [Corps] Grip of the Interdictor, only recieved one submission. Still, it was a wild read, and our Warlord participant will recieve a Crescent.

Sith Warlord Vessicant steps from the shadows to give us a thrill ride in the lone submission to Grip of the Interdictor, thus reminding us that it's always the quiet ones you have to watch. Excellent effort, Vessicant.

Dark Jedi Knight Octavia Kuga has taken on the job of redesigning the Firefox-class Fighter Carrier <i>Perdition</i> for use as a mobile HQ for the Corps. Great initiative Tavi!

Sith Warrior Dismal Visutor has asked to help out with our Dominion. As such, he's been tasked with doing some work to revamp and redesign the planet Nintura. Way to step up, Dis!

Aedile Applications

Our Aedile, Vivackus Kavon di Plagia, has stepped down from his post to pursue the duties of Combat Master. As such, the right-hand spot next to my Throne is empty, and that simply will not do. Anyone interested in being Aedile of the House of Ascendancy and Lieutenant Supreme Commander of the Jusadih Military Regime, send in an application.

Requirements: - Rank of DJK or higher. - 24 Hour email turn-around time, 48 Hour email turn-around time under strain. - Regular Presence on IRC. - Willingness to work hard and accept varied projects. - Decisive and forward-thinking attitude.

I want to let everyone know that this is open to the entire DJB. If my new AED's a Plagueian already, that's cool, but if not, I hope to see some new blood bringing new ideas and innovations. Let it be known, I'm demanding of my Aediles and expect them to work diligently on all tasks. If you can do that, you'll do well.

Special Mention

I think it's vital to mention the importance of Communication. It's what drives us and keeps us going as a club. It's how we develop bonds of friendship, learn and grow, and succeed. So, in the spirit of Communication, reach out to your fellow Plagueians and DJB members. Make an effort to become friends with people both inside and outside of the House. Direct new people to IRC and help them when they're in trouble, and if you're new, ask for help. It's essential, it's what makes this place great, and best of all, it's easy.

Food for Thought

<i>"Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other."</i> -John F. Kennedy.

Conclusion

Good work, everyone! Let's try for even more medals and better achievements in the month of September! Look forward to the Reboot Event, and prepare your sabers and other weapons for the Rite of Supremacy in October! We have members in all of our Branches and we have activity and success across the board. Let's keep it coming, people! Let's live up to our motto and really show this club what House Plagueis can do!

-> Adapt! Ascend! Avail! <- _