Greetings, my lovelies, and welcome to Arcona’s August report! This one is a bit earlier than normal because Atty goes back to school on Monday (so if you don’t hear from her, it’s because she’s dead from having to wake up before eight again). However, it’s packed just as full of UTTER GLITTERFRAKKING WONDER as usual because lots of changes and releases happened.

You know those things we’ve all been waiting for with Paths and Gray Jedi and the new Character Sheets? Well, GUESS WHAT?!

IT’S HAPPENING!!!

BUCKLE IN LADIES AND MANGIRLS, IT’S GONNA BE A WILD RIDE!

Listen, well…You are not the man you used to be.

You are stronger and wiser and freer than you ever used to be.

As you all well know, there was much hype, excitement, and email spam when Character Sheets 2.0 got released just two weeks ago! The amount of incredible here cannot possibly be contained.

We have several new Disciplines (Defender shout-out!) along with rewritten old ones, new Feats, revamped Force Powers and Skills, new Aspects...new, new, new! As a small contributor of the CS-team, I can tell you confidently that the sheer volume of blood, sweat, and tears that went into this new system was crazy. It’s impossible to make everyone happy, but damn has this team done its best to cater to all the tastes and play styles out there so far — and with the release of Mundane classes on the horizon, they’ll continue to do so.

So, I want to take some time to thank our Combat Master, Walladore, the Voice staff, Mav and Sarin, the whole CS 2.0 team, James, and anyone else who had their hands in this project.

We all appreciate it.

That said, here’s an important note! If you have not updated your Character Sheet since the new version’s release, your CS will be marked as invalid. You’ll need to go in and edit it to make it active and acceptable again (likely due to Skill/FP point distribution or removed Feats/Aspects). I highly encourage that, while you’re there, you check out all the new Skill and Power descriptions, the new Feats and Aspects, and the new Disciplines (and also take some time to write some Custom Aspects because you love me and I love Custom Aspects and plz just do it).

So, go on! Get! Go check out the new shinies, go check out those gorgeous wiki pages and Reference systems, go play with your CS and the ACC!

BUT FIRST FINISH READING THIS BECAUSE THERE'S MORE.

Now you have come at the crossroads of the destiny - it’s time for you to choose.

Unless you’ve been very dedicatedly living under a rock for the last...oh...year, then you’ll know that a new Gray Path and new Ranks to go with it have long been in-demand and in the works. Well, after much toiling and discussion, they're finally here!

You can now choose to be Light, Dark, or Gray Jedi!

How frakkin’ awesome is that?!

Right alongside this release was the release of the new Ranks, which are based on your Path selection instead of your Order. As Mav has covered in past reports, old Orders such as Krath and Obelisk have been eliminated — though, it’s crucial to note that you can still pick them as Traditions — and new Orders have replaced them. For reference, check out Mav’s much-used Paths chart:

We’re still on the look-out for the Mundane Paths of Mercenary and Loyalist, but for now, we have the ability to further personalize and individualize our characters according to the Path they walk in the Force. Many Arconans have already chosen to change their Path — roughly 20% and counting have gone to the Gray Side — and now it is time for you to choose too!

Go forth, my friends! Choose your Path, choose your Order and Tradition, choose your Skills and Powers and Feats…Go now, and...

Other news, reports, and happenings:

• GM Report #42 (NEW PATHS AND RANKS!)
• GM Report #41
• DGM Report: All the News (Paths release update!)
• Voice Report #6
• Herald Report - Six Shooter (Now with rock and robes)
• Seneschal Report - August
• SCL: New Site Layout
• Gaming Update #40
• Gaming Update #41
• CM Update: ACC Back Online
• CM Updates: CS 2.0 Bug Tracking, FAQ, and ACC Judges
• CM Updates: CS 2.0 and ACC
• Combat Master Report: CS 2.0 Launch
• Qel-Droma August Report
• Nighthawk Report 003
• Shadow Gate Report - Katicorn’s Take Over
• Turel's Very First Odan-Urr Proconsul Report (‘Ohana’ means family)
• Wiki Tribune Report #3
• Wiki Update: Orders and the Character Template
• Fantasy Football
• Star Wars News From D23

Starbucks, Pirates, and a Sergeant, oh my!

If y’all remember, last report we remembered the meaning of “Ohana” as we said goodbye to our beloved token lightie, Turel. He’s currently doing utterly sparkly over in COU, even though he’s coming to understand the inbox abuse that is PCONhood. Just ask Esca. :P

That said, we had a Quaestor spot to fill, and we got a lot of awesome applicants and applications! It is my pleasure to announce, after a detailed review process, the new Galeres Quaestor, this cup of coffee!

I mean, uh, wait...no...

(I’m so glad I got to use this twice.)

It is my pleasure to introduce to you, Arcona and my beautiful Brotherhood at large, Braecean Kaeth as Quaestor of Galeres! We're confident he and Donny/Uji will work brilliantly together along with their BTLs and the rest of this spectaculadazzling Summit to make Galeres a beacon right along with their sister House of Qel-droma.

I want to take a moment to thank you all for your patience in this hiring process. Melon Lord and I wanted to try something new with interviewing our applicants based on their applications. A healthy thank you to Timeros for being willing to conduct some of these along with us. I was really pleased with how this process went, and will be interested in seeing what the larger summit thinks of it in the future...so that may be an initiative to look out for!

In the meantime, though, there’s more going on than just a Quaestor appointment! Zednich has resigned to focus on his work for the DB at large, and Brae and Uji have selected a replacement. You know him, you might love him, you’re certain to be dazzled by him: it’s Celahir Erinos, otherwise known as Irfan, your new Battleteam leader of Soulfire Strike Team. Woohoo! I would take some time to introduce him, but he already did so himself with this report this morning.

Instead, I’ll use that time to thank Zednich Wolfram for his work as SF’s leader. It’s been great to have you among us, Zed, and I’m glad we can call you Arconan while you’re out there being a boss with the Shadow Academy and running drafts.

BUT THAT ISN’T ALL.

Oh yeah, dearies, there’s more.

House Qel-Droma was looking for proposals for a second Battleteam and a BTL to lead it. Now, I’m happy to present to you the shiny new Tyrant Sword, headed by our own Mirus and Rhiann Hi’ija. You can follow the previous link to check out the fantastic opening fiction they wrote up, but in short? Space. Pirates.

PIRATES.

What more could you want?!

I’ll allow the new “Captain” to speak for himself:

---

Introducing Qel-Droma's ragtag bunch of marauding pirates - Tyrant Sword. We pillage. We plunder. We rifle and loot. But most of all we kick the ass of everyone along the way.

This is a team with a twist. Not only will you get the chance to be involved with a battleteam, you'll be involved with a monthly fiction that every single member will be represented in and have the chance to drive forward. We'll be running two low-impact competitions every month - and the results of those competitions will change the way that fiction runs. Ladies and gentlemen, every member of this team matters and I absolutely want it to show each and every time I have the joy of crafting a report for you.

However, we're still looking for members. Do you fit any of the following criteria? If so, consider jumping on board!

• Do you like pirates? Tyrant Sword is for you.
• Do you want to get involved with a constantly-evolving monthly fiction that drives the team? If you love crafting fiction, Tyrant Sword is for you.
• Do you want your character to be a hell of an action hero, behind the wheel of a starship, leading a squadron of starfighters into battle, or even being the first man onto the deck of the enemy ship we're about to steal? If so, Tyrant Sword is for you.
• Do you want a chance to develop a wide series of skills, with help on graphics, gaming, fiction, wiki pages - with plenty of chances for competitions and projects for all of these areas? Tyrant Sword is definitely for you.

I want to thank Celevon and Vic for taking a chance on this little idea of mine. I will do my absolute utmost to deliver to Qel-Droma a team worth your trust.

See you on deck, boys and girls. We've got some loot to steal.

---

Interested yet? Email Mirus ([Log in to view e-mail addresses]) or Rhiann ([Log in to view e-mail addresses]) to get involved!

Recognition

Promotions!

Nothing huge to mention. Only that our very own Atyiru was promoted to EPIS or whatever the new rank is called now! Congratulations, Shadow Lady!

Awards!

• Mirus Hi’ija received a Grand Cross of the Darkside!
• Zednich Wolfram received a Dark Cross!

Outstanding Achievements (or just general cool stuff)!

Have You Seen Atty’s New Robes???

In The Land of Melons

Greetings, Arconans!

My oh my has this past month been a busy busy time! Projects were released last report and have received some fantastic input from those that have volunteered. Except to see and hear more regarding the Mentorship and Recruitment programs soon!

Gear yourself up for the Invicta Games! The only news you get at the moment is that they are coming, and that we’ll be releasing some emails as soon as Septemper hits, so get yourself all gamed up and prepped to destroy your opposition...being yourself...but don’t kill each other...cause there’s a war coming...yes.

So not too much in my neck of the woods. Just busy being whipped to death by both Atty and Vyr. Keep on rockin, Arcona. We’re watching you all closely!

creepy eyes

~E

Projects

Not much to report on the projects just yet, as we’ve been gathering ideas and input from the volunteers. Stay tuned, however, for we’ll surely have more to offer soon!

~E

Recruitment Office

A few volunteers have offered various forms of recruitment and how to spread the name of the DJB and Arcona. These would be through various other sites such as writing groups, art groups and more. We’re working on getting Arcona-oriented accounts set up and will be pushing for Clan representatives to tackle any potential new join!

Mentorship Program

We’ve gathered some amazing ideas for this project. I’m very excited to say that I feel we’ll have a great program created soon that will help members expand on their skills in all the different aspects of the DJB. From writing, to art, to even leadership! Stay tuned!

Character Workshops

Nothing new on the workshops just yet, I will be speaking with the organizer and getting more information. Expect to see a more streamlined request method soon!

Antei Contract Bureau

My oh my has this been an amazing DJB-wide opening. There are so many contracts being requested and so many new faces helping out the once Arcona-only staff. I am very excited to see how it will turn out when the first contracts are completed and graded with full feedback provided! Get your very own by filling out this form and requesting your custom made contract!

Wiki Updates

I have several volunteers going through the wiki pages and marking them with the Arcona Article Improvement tag with the reason it was tagged. Once this is complete, I will be looking to create a group of wiki-ers to help me update all the things! Stand by, everyone!

The Adventures of Atty and Arcy...a.k.a. Ask the A-Team

In which Atty goes to Chipotle.

Vyr asks, @AttyDJB Your dossier is out of sync. When will you turn gray/lightie to remedy this precarious issue?

• Atty: When my request to be a Lightie is either processed or denied :P

Vyr also asks, @AttyDJB Another important question: What... is the air-speed velocity of an unladen Alderaanian swallow?

• Atty: About as fast as its vaporized particles can hurtle through the void of space without any resistance or other debris to stop them.

Hades asks, What is your favorite food and why?

• Atty: Fondue, because it's bread and cheese - because it's bread and freaking cheese and what more could you want?
• Arcy: Spaghetti. Because meaty, noodly, goodness. That or medium rare steak...because medium rare steak. (not that burnt leather Atty likes)

Turel asks, @AttyDJB, what color do you want your robes to be when you become GM?

• Atty: Haha. White, but also with gold and blue and ribbons so you KNOW that bitch is a lightie, unlike Pravus who's just fooling himself. :P

Celahir asks, What's your favourite meat.

• Atty: You ask me loaded questions, serah. :P In seriousness though, damn steak filets (a close second being prosciutto).
• Arcy: I’m a fan of top sirloin, cooked medium rare. If it’s still mooing when I cut into it, then I’m allllll game.

Viv asks, What's your order when you go to Chipotle?

• Atty: I have never been to Chipotle 'cause I was never a huge Mexican/burrito fan
• Arcy: Beef, white rice, pinto beans, hot salsa, light lettuce and sour cream. Sometimes in a burrito, sometimes in a bowl.

Hades asks, @AttyDJB If the members here insisted, would you go to Chipolte and try the food?

• Atty: Yes, since you and Monty and Viv all chirped in.
• 
• I actually went Friday for lunch after running errands, but there was a large black-out in the area right as I rolled up, and they’d just closed. I’ll try again next time and post results. For now, I’m just happy to be alive and typing this, considering how bad Houston traffic is when the traffic lights aren’t on. :P
• WILL ATTY EVER GET TO TRY CHIPOTLE? WILL ALL BE RIGHT IN THE WORLD? TUNE IN NEXT REPORT TO FIND OUT!

Celahir asks, do you like pizza hawaii?

• Atty: Not really. I love pizza with pineapple and feta though. In our house, we usually get half Hawaiian and half just pineapple and cheese because Vic is more sensible than me about things like bacon and voting (as is the way of the world :P)
• Arcy: Fruit does not go on pizza.

Turel asks, can I still be Arcona’s token lightie?

• Atty: Duh and or hello. Shine on, sista. Shine for me.
• Arcy: That’ll cost one trip through the airlock.

Kat asks, can I have a potted sarlacc pet?

• Atty: You already have a pet rancor. Don’t be greedy. :P
• Arcy: No.

Vyr asks, Where do you see yourself in the DB two years from now? What position and such.

• Atty: Ooh, toughie. Well, if we stick to whatever y'all are smoking, it’ll be #lightieGM. Otherwise I might dream of Voice one day myself, who knows? Maybe Herald if I learn the skillset (improved project management, how to actually photoshop and vector, etc). Two years is far flung, so far-flung goals. :P My humbler and honest answer would be, "something productive to the club if I'm not dying in a nursing rotation." Soooo, VOICE or just alive and kicking :P I guess (hi Evant, love you, don't worry).
• Arcy: I never look too far into the future about myself. I try to complete the work I have before me to the best of my ability and if anything happens to make itself available, I will do what I can to put myself forth in the best manner possible. If you would have asked me two years ago if I saw myself as PCON and on the HRLD staff? I would have laughed at you.

Turel asks, @AttyDJB, any plans to feature "evil Atty" in official fiction? :P

• Atty: Hopeful, aren't you? ;P I won't rule it out. Considering that violence, murder, and generally people gunning for her people all piss Atty off..."evil Atty" could appear. :P

Wally says, @AttyDJB Help. We must save my family!

• Atty: GAAAAAAAAAARRRRY. HEY BUDDY. Choke on my vengeance.
• 

Celahir asks, so this SAO Abridged any good? :p

• Atty: Yes. Yes it is.

Wally asks, do you agree that Shadows cannot be cast without Light, and that, arguably, the Shadow Clan being lead by a Lightie is any more/less believable than a Light side Clan existing in a "Dark Jedi Brotherhood"?

• Atty: Wholeheartedly!
• Arcy: I could see the Shadow Clan being led by a Lightsider that loosely follows the light side. there must still be some darkness to the person’s heart to successfully lead this Clan.

In Closing

The Adventures of Atty and Arcy: The Comic!

Monty asked, ....Atty....are...you...hopeful...that...a..selection...of...mustaches...will...be available for selection once possessions are introduced? If so what mustache do you envision your character wearing?

You bet I frakkin’ am.

(Drawn just for you, Buckeye.)

Arcona Invicta!