Am I walking with gods or merely stumbling forth?

Until there's fire at the gates, until I fall to the floor

You know I live by the feather and die by the sword...

---

Black Wings of Hate:

Voraskel Palace, Conclave Chambers, Kiast A
Kiast System, Nilgaard Sector
43 ABY

For the first time in months, the High Councilor of the Acolytes of Urr stood among the Conclave Chambers. Unlike previous councils, he stood furthest from the Empress and her Royal Spymaster, his seat solitary at the edge of the table where the various Conclave members sat at the sides of the table. As always, the half-Sephi man stood, his scepter pressed firmly against the table.

---

"So, I am to understand that the charges laid against the Temple lay in the fact that we have chosen to break ground on a new temple, during the timeframe in which Prince Vosen's actions have led to war?" Masahiro's voice registered across the hall as he tapped the scepter twice against the hard wooden surface of the chamber table.

"Or is it that the Empress' confidant murdered a man, furthering the divide between the two states, which led to the Prince's actions? Of which crime does the Royal Spymaster hold the entirety of the Jedi Temple guilty? What crime would he use to place the Royal Guard in the Praxeum and arrest our instructors on pain of treason to the Vatali Empire?" The High Councilor demanded, stamping the scepter again.

"No, I would charge your so-called 'Temple' with harboring terrorists, were it in my power, I would charge you as well as kidnapping and maintaining a hostage, as well, but her Highness, in her infinite wisdom, believes your 'temple' once had some purpose in training her daughter." Zakfein intoned from his spot beside the Empress.

"On what evidence?"

Zakfein waved a hand and the holofootage from the Royal Exchange near the Vatali Central Intelligence bureau began to play, culminating in one of the figures turning and shouting the name "Jon."

"Jon Silvon is a man known and frequently employed by your temple, well known to Turel Sorenn, who has recently fled the system. It seems your temple has been interfering in, and tearing apart the Empire's society for some time. The former governor of the so-called "Republic of Kaal", Tistito Kingang, "Fat Tisto," as some have taken to calling him? A Padawan at your temple. The Knights of Allusis and the new Governor, colluding with local forces to enact martial law and an extermination protocol after loosing rhakghouls on the populace." The Spymaster continued, the Empress in her throne showing obvious disgust.

"Suppositions, incomplete information, and outright lies. I understand you've never been fond of us, Zakfein, but this is a new low even for you." The High Councilor spoke, rapping his scepter on the table once more as he turned to walk away.

"Hold your place, Jedi." The Spymaster demanded.

"The words of a spymaster are a suggestion; you do not write or enforce law, nor enact the will of people beyond your own interests, Zakfein. I will not stand here while your people enact pointless searches of my Temple on groundless suspicions, and I will remove myself from your presence and maintain my countenance in the face of this farce." With his final words spoken, the Jedi waved his hands, opening the doors to the chamber, and exited.

Zakfein, in a fit of rage, called for the guards to give chase but the Empress' raised hand quelled the Spymaster and her guards.

"Master Haku is right. You have nothing to prove this Jon is Jon Silvon, and to stand before me and accuse Turel Sorenn? Spymaster, I expect a full report on your sources after we've concluded today's Conclave." The Empress gently chimed, as a cold glare passed between her and Zakfein.

---

A quiet attendant would follow the High Councilor from the Palace.

Time Bomb:

Phase II of Weight of the World has come and gone, and once more we’ve calculated the individual votes and the combined votes from your activity. The people stand against Prince Vosen’s incursion into Burmessian territory, the invasion of their ports, and his imposition into the political discourse. As well, people view the force nexus on Solyiat with caution and would observe it before taking any drastic measures. We took a break from the Campaign during October due to several factors: I had a health emergency (more on this in a bit), Seasons spun up again, and Pro-Bowl was in full force. Coming back to COU Campaign #2: Weight of the World this month, we're doing a bit of a refresher, going over the events of the first phases, and swinging back with a half-month of activity, before picking back up in December for your regularly scheduled content. Look Forward To It!

The Narrative (So Far):

Quermia was a predecessor to it all, and even before that, the Vauzem plot to overthrow the Vatali Empire during the Vatali Unsettled conflict years ago. Following the Quermian Conflict, as the Vauzem Separatists fled, one ship was forced into emergency shutdown in Kiast, where it listed into orbit of Kiast β, otherwise known as the territory of the Burmessian Republic. Aboard this vessel were nobles and officers from the Vauzem Dominion, who, unlike the rest of their crew, were afforded asylum by the Republic.

The Vatali Empire seeks the extradition of these criminals, through any means, which sparked a series of fierce debates between the Empress and the Prime Minister of the Republic, leading to the Prime Minister’s assassination. Investigations into the assassination have revealed the truth: the Empress ordered the minister’s death, and Lord Zarkeif, the Royal Spymaster, ordered a cover-up.

In response to this assassination and the continued refusal to extradite either the Vauzem terrorists or the assassin, Prince Vosen Anasaye, second in line for the Vatali throne and a Lieutenant Commander in the O.U.S.C. Navy, has defied orders from the Warmaster and commandeered the First Fleet, later joined by the Fourth and Sixth Fleets, parking them in orbit of Burmessia and mobilizing troops into the Spaceport of the Capital city while he addresses the Burmessian Parliament as an envoy.

Elsewhere within the Empire, voices of dissent have begun to rise across several different factions. From those who believe the Empress has taken too direct an action against a foreign entity without consideration, to those who believe the power of the crown has been too far eroded. Even more dangerous are the voices calling for revolution within the Empire’s borders, from the nebulous Tisto Kingang and his compatriots, formerly governing Kaal City on Daleem, to the meritocratic factions with support within the Conclave calling for direct action and proof of worth for every citizen of the Empire, opposing the recent addition of Houses Hoth, Bur’vak, and even House Tevil, who bear direct lineage to the Vatali throne.

The tensions between these parties have only grown following the recent bombing of an intelligence agency’s data center. Accusations of terrorism have been lobbed against the Odanites by the Royal Spymaster following the event, further fueling dissidence.

---

On Solyiat, the mysterious vergence in the proposed site for a new Jedi Praxeum has continued to prove more and more of an enigma. As the Acolytes cautiously investigate and make their way into the depths, to better understand who had been here before, if it was the Sith, or something else, recently uncovered murals point toward Dathomiri rituals held in the depths, leaving many questions. Questions of why the Acolytes of Urr have moved to remove themselves from the grasp of the Vatali Empire, further separating Clan Odan-Urr from their entrenched positions within the Empire, have been raised, placing the High Councilor and the Empress' daughter (and Heir Apparent) in the crosshairs.

---

The Competitions (a refresher):

I want these to be quick and easy, each phase, and for us to have a bit of room to compensate and adjust for what you guys vote for. As such, each phase will be done with the Art, Gaming, and Miscellaneous Competitions being done in 3 weekly batches, while the Fiction and Roleplay will be done for the full three weeks. The last week will give Jack and me some time to wrap up the grading, adjust our pre-mades based on what you guys voted for, and time to write the fiction for the next phase, as well as punch out the next Questionnaire.

Keeping these competitions simple and accessible is especially important to me as we will be coinciding with the ongoing Seasons (which share a similar ease of entry plan) and other events throughout the year. Remember, these competitions are designed to be **if* you can participate, and not designed for maximum participation.* Enjoy anything, or everything, at your pace and without pressure.

The Club has a lot that goes on, with Seasons being our (new) continual Club-Wide event series, the Houses having their own events, and the Battle Teams having their own. There are going to be adjustments and tweaks made to COU’s own campaigns as we do our best to find ways to work around the heavy amount of competitions flying every which way and help people adjust to the overwhelming feeling that pops up every now and then.

Damocles

Something personal from the CON, but first, a lyric talking about how I've felt this last year.

"And nobody told me I'd be begging for relief
When what is silent to you feels like it's screaming to me.
Well, nobody told me I'd get tired of myself
When it all looks like heaven, but it feels like hell."

This is not a reflection on the state of COU itself, I've been proud of the Clan and all of our people, but I have had a very heavy year. I have had to take a step back from the internet several times because of my own health, to grieve losses, and just recenter myself because of the massive amounts of things going on when the world went sideways. I've lost my job, been diagnosed with an autoimmune and connective tissue disorder, as well as recently requiring gallbladder removal. I've lost several family members, friends, and through it all I've kept a mask on and have done my best to keep things here as light as possible, for you. It's gotten to a point where I need to let someone else take front and center for a while.

I'm not going away, I'm just taking the side seat for a while so I can focus on my health and do the paperwork for the asylum patient stepping up to take my place. Since it's already been the case for the last several months due to my recent health issues, and to keep things going pretty much as they are, after talking to Atra, we're not taking drastic measures. Come the end of November, Jack (Mihoshi Keibatsu) and I will officially be swapping roles. This will let Jack take on the more complex projects he has wanted to work on for the last few months while I was in and out, and allow me to focus on what I am good at, the administrative work, without bogging things down if I am suddenly disabled for a week or two by another health crisis.

If my health issues are bad enough that in a few months time I'm not recovering or showing signs of persistence after entering physical therapy and treatment, then I will revisit this and we'll look at adopting a new PCON, or Tor will put me out to pasture. Whichever comes first.

Scimitar of Lord Hoth:

• October

33/52 Odanites took part in something during October, 35 if we count our recently departed Turel and Kris (Have fun on the Council again, Turel!) Looking like a familiar pattern here as Edgar, Seals, Remy, and Kav duke it out for the top spots.

Promotions:

• Corpzen reached Novitiate 4!
• Lady Caprinet reached Journeyman 2!
• Teiko punched up to Journeyman 1!
• And a new arrival, Kael Voxxen, has reached Novitiate 2!

News Corner!:

I miss Spooky Season already.

• Taldryan Report #3 - Tree Report Number Tree
• A New Ad Vizsla Added - Vizjizzles Rejoice, that's a hefty sum!
• Galares October Report - Spooky Times at Arcona High - House Galeres Updates!
• Covenant Amendment - Addition of Experience Points (XP) - A clarification.
• New Arcona Consul - Welcome Humphrey Bograt!
• A Wildcard Appointment! - We're going clubbing!
• House Sunrider Report #4: Clandestine - Rabbit Report!
• CNS: Clan Update - What's Sadow Up To?
• CSP PCON Announcement - Rayne has an understudy!
• New Headmaster - The Council really is just a Zoo.
• Fist Supplemental: Helldivers II: Cluster Changes - Spreading Liberty a little too quick.
• Fist Supplemental: Sabacc Disallowed for Casual Queue Submissions - A little reshuffle.
• Season 1: Parabellum - Cycle 3 - Results - Dolla Dolla Bills y'all!
• CNS PCON Report #18 - It's Muz with the News.
• HM#20: Once More With Feeling - Bye Beak!
• [Arcona] Something Is Starting Today - November Report - Bograt Report #1
• Headmaster Report - A (re)Introduction - The Headmaster Speaks!

Closing Thoughts from the CON:

When the Bough Breaks:

Surgery went good, but other matters have weighed heavily, as I discussed back in Damocles. This last year and change as CON has been an amazing ride, and I look forward to a greater future in Clan and Club leadership, but taking the chance to get a breather now so I don't burn out mentally or physically is a much-needed endeavor. I recommend it to anyone. If you feel checked out, take a few days or weeks to check into other habits, pick up another hobby, work on things like time management, and check your boundaries. We need to remember to take care of ourselves as much as we try to help one another.

Ever onwards!