Nice to see snapshots for the fiction comps now, and excited for that "Small Team Run On" part heh

Great report, Wally! I can't wait to see how everything else you're working on now turns out.

It seems lots of interesting changes are afoot! Great read!

Bonus question answer(s): First gif is Band Name Saosin, Song Name Changing. Second gif is Band Name: Dethklok, Song Name Murmaider

A more refined system. Woot. Great Jedi War WooT. Hype engaged. WOOT!

I love how its evolved as time has gone. Awesome :) Let's get ready for GJW!

Glad to be on the team while so many changes are happening and I'm sorry for causing delays with my training!!

The game is afoot...

TT-TT so many item descriptions to write.

Woo to all the changes and projects!!!

WAHR!!!!

What an exciting time. Thanks for your work, Wally and co.

Never understood the love for 'small team' run-ons. In my eyes it leaves many without a team, and unless you're an elite writer, say goodbye to any chance in placing.

Tis how the DJB operates. It's always revolved around the few 'elites' or 'better' people in this competitive environment. There's no room for 'mediocre' or 'newbie' players who struggle to adapt. Wanna compete? Better have the right friends and bust your butt to win. Want to just chillax and get in participation for DJB events, then you're fine as long as you can accept the fact your chances of winning anything are slim to none.

As such, it's not something that's new, it is a competitive environment after all, requiring 'players' to jump through certain hoops in order to 'level up'.

The DJB is no different from a company really. The influential and 'elites' rise up through the ranks, whilst the dredges of the 'lesser' ranks spend years climbing to their goals even if they are just as hard working as the elites. The DC sets its rules and in order to become one of these 'cool' people you better be prepared to get on your knees for it.

Attitude, or as the DC likes to call it 'leadership qualities', is fine so long you are two faced about it. Present an open and friendly attitude towards us, the sheep, but within their own 'elite' society they are really no different. They shun, ignore, mock and/or ridicule the members just as any other normal member does, cept they do it within their own circle, which makes it acceptable and A-OK! However, when a member publicly speaks out against them or the system, well, better be prepared for a poopstorm and insta resigned to the dump list plus some emails faking compassion to try to silence your voice.

Ultimately, the DJB is split into the 'DC and friends' and 'the rest'. There is no balance or inbetween. There is no way to move up or even away from either if you havent been careful. The ones who weild the power to make your DJB career a long and winding one with as many hurdles as possible will quietly do so, towards the public, but in their own circle will do whatever they can together to stop your progression.

So remember new kids, be cool, find the right people and stick to them like honey, cause when they rise, you might get lucky and hitch a ride too. If you don't like something, keep it to yourself, or murmer it silently during your sleep. This Clubs 'elite' does not take kindly to the few who have spoken their opinion publicly on how they operate.

In no way does my journey reflect everyone else's journey through the DJB, this is just my own observation, thoughts and opinion on how the Club operates within it's many levels.

Tis how the DJB operates.

We're here to compete and have fun. Others are here to produce things. The DC are producers. They make stuff for us to use and devour through different skill sets. And that system allows you to get promoted, get credits, and get medals. Nothing is stopping you from writing a fiction for your House or Clan and having some fun. There are hundreds of competitions throughout the year in the gaming, fiction, coding, gfx, flash, trivia, etc. other realms in order for you to have fun.

Also, I don't see why the DC shouldn't add some personal touches to what they want in the club. They are in positions that are focused entirely on providing to the members. And to be part of the DC you need to have certain skills for that position. You can't be mediocre at gfx and also be the Herald. You can't have no gaming experience and be the FIST.

As someone who came back 2 years ago and had no good friends here and was a Knight without many awards and projects under my belt, to now being EQ2 with tons of rewards, having worked on many projects and done many things that have helped and produced for my House and Clan. I've also seen plenty of new people succeed (and even go beyond me in certain degrees). If Rambox45x doesn't want to learn the CS system, but wants to be a Grand Master, then he's gonna have to learn the CS system.

If you have complaints, I'm sure your Clan or the DC will attempt to help you in some way. One complaints might not be enough, but if enough members complained, then something would change.

However, I think they're doing a stand up job. I like the work they're doing and the changes that are happening.

Thanks Dek, well said.

Also, I don't know why things are afoot, @Atty and @Lucine. Does this mean we need more shoes in possessions??

Wally, great update and report.

Mark, your concerns are valid and we will more than likely introduce a mechanic in the run-on that will allow for two members to join together in order to earn participation credit. I have not witnessed a lot of members unable to get on a team in the past, but we do want to ensure that everyone has a shot at participation. A two person participation, not placement, team was our solution.

Darkblade, thanks for the comments. As always, we take everyone's thoughts into consideration. Our members provide valuable feedback, we listen, and often we react. Your particular comments purvey an idea that is slightly inaccurate and I'll use this open forum to respond.

1. The Dark Council does not agrees on every subject and we are not the best of friends. The DC is a collection of volunteer members with wildly different backgrounds and from four different countries. Those backgrounds in culture, education, and profession lead to very different thoughts on how our club should operate. The DC will discuss, argue, and work through problems until we arrive at a solution, but that process can be very messy. Our Consuls, most of whom I have selected, would also be a good counter to any discussion that "only the GM's friends" make it in the Club. They'd also be a good source of information on how often they disagree both publicly and privately with the DC.

2. There are no invisible leadership roadblocks, promotion holds, or award reviews in the Dark Brotherhood. The GM/DGM are only involved in the selection of Consuls and Dark Council members. Clan leadership select every position below Consul (although, they do keep us informed of PCON selections). Likewise, promotions and awards do not even cross the desk of the GM/DGM unless they are for an Elder or for one of the Clubs top three awards. We are extremely serious about claims of bias and go as far as Mav/I running our Consul/DC proposed awards through the MAA. So, in a specific case, for example Darkblade, your awards/promotions never even see my desk and the only position I evaluate you for is Consul/DC membership. Sometimes people are selected for positions and sometimes they are not. I know it is hard to hear, but those decisions are made based on merit and the ideas that people put forward. It sucks when you are not selected for a job because you feel like you are being told your ideas are not as good as someone else. That can sting, but we shouldn't be cynical and make claims that we miss out on opportunities because we are not friends with the right people.

3. The Dark Brotherhood operates under a covenant that we take very seriously. The seriousness is derived from our reaction to being in a past club where you would be expelled for having a divergent opinion. This club will never be that way. Ever. This is why I quote it, to an annoying degree, when having discussions with our DC/Consuls. Jac and the Star Chamber are here to take any complaints and to ensure we do not have a BIAS TYRANT leading the club. Please reach out to them if you feel there is a major concern that needs to be addressed.

GM Pravus

It continues to be a pleasure to work closely with the Voice staff on various joint projects. In all honesty, the bulk of this amazing work is completed by Wally P. Wallerson and Co., while I get the pleasure of helping Farrin implement their work in the back end. I know I speak on behalf of all involved when we say that we hope you enjoy the courses being released in the near future. They're designed to be streamlined, informative, and to improve your DJB experience within the writing realm.

Speaking of, better get on that implementation. Great report, Wally!

Thank you for taking the time to reply. Though this is an issue that simply cannot been seen from 'your side of the field'. Which I understand since you are surrounded by the people you picked, and most likely are very grateful for that and support you as you support them.

However, for us folks stuck on the other side, things are less green and more black and white. There are clear lines where it is felt, seen and heard that the political aspects in this club are a, if not the most, fundamental core to moving up. In rare cases this not a thing, which I have also noticed and take into consideration when speaking up about this.

And although you say that you take these concerns seriously, there have been people who have stepped to you, personally, but ultimately felt brushed off or even ignored. And not the usual naysayers or public doomsayers. Some are quite respectable in their own Units and have no integrity faults, nor reasons to be cynical or make claims about being treated unfairly, as you so boldly put it.

The underlying fact is that this Club thrives on politics and who is favored and who isn't. You can flat out deny it or pretend it's not there, but it is. Sadly the people are mostly afraid to speak out or up about it because it is basically political sabotage within this Club. A CON or DC'r voicing their opinion holds more weight and less repercussions than a member such as myself for example. Again, it falls down to a member who holds favour and wields the political power to do so without self destructing their own advancements.

The rest of us are just a mass of people, some of us make some noise but ultimately are silenced through the barriers put up with no room to advance and either suffer in silence or leave the Club altogether.

In this case the DJB has done it's job well ruling through fear. Fear of being afraid to speak out for the repercussions it has, fear for being mocked, ridiculed and despised behind their backs by the DC. No one takes it seriously, except when telling the mass that 'you do take it seriously.'

I also understand how hard it is to prove this. No DC'r would ever admit to not hiring said person cause they don't like them. That would be the day when hell freezes over, the sun rises in the west and sets in the east and the mountains sway with the wind.

Yet, you cannot look any of us in the eye, deny this, and fully convince us that there is no game of politics being played here in this Club, that being friends with the right person has no advantages over not being friends with the right person, that being liked or disliked by the current leaders (heavily) influences your opportunities in the DJB. And sadly, this is the problem that goes right through the core of every DC and Unit leader member.

It's hard to stay unbiased, I've been there, however briefly. As the GM, the leader of this Club who has to stand above everything and make decision based on facts and not feelings, we expect nothing less from him/her when they choose their DC and Clan Leaders and in turn when they choose their fellow colleagues, following the example you set.

In the end, I look forward to this experience system you and your DC are looking into. This should remove a lot of the need for political friends and favors, and instead create a more robust and vibrant 'elite' less focused on rubbing each others backs to advance, and giving people clearer goals and opportunities to reach such advancements, thus leveling the playing field.

Great report from my favorite VOICE!

Darkblade, I’m not in anything closely resembling Sarin’s “clique” as you see it; I’m not in the military, I’m not from Tal or Arc, I was in the EH but not as long ago as many of the older folks. By your reckoning, I shouldn’t be on the DC... but I am. I’ve worked my ass off for the SA Staff as well as in Tarentum for years. I feel as if I’ve earned everything I’ve been given and every opportunity I’ve been presented with. I’m also not the only leader in this club who can say that; far from it. Frankly, I’m insulted that you insinuate otherwise.

I’m sorry that you feel as if things aren’t fair, but don’t try to present your skewed world view as the gospel truth.

Thank you Farrin, and Sarin, and everyone else for the kind words! Happy to server the Brotherhood.

Following up on previous comments: Hello, my name is Wally. I am a film student that converted into a career in IT. I have never been in the military, or have any family connection to it for that matter. I joined the club from previously being in the BHG (which broke off from the EH, so I was never in the EH). I worked my way up from BTL to QUA to PCON then to CON. You were in Arc during that time so you probably remember (for better or for worse). While there, I started working with Mav on the new CS project doing spreadsheets entry stuff. I got to be a Magistrate for years, helped create the new ACC and became one of the first judges, then eventually became CM and revamped the CS system into it's 2.0 state and continued to grow the platform. I'm not in my current position because of favoritism- if anything, I've had to work against it because I've been brash and argued vehemently with previous and current DCers before in the past. Like Farrin, I'm here because I worked for it- and earned it with the blood and sweat of the countless hours I've poured into trying to do things to expand and grow the club.

I genuinely hope you can look past these notions you have, because I do think you are, like any member, important and a part of our community. If you have any specific questions relating to Voice Staff policy, administration or anything else, please feel free to email me. My door is always open :). That said, I think that report comments are not the best way to address concerns, so let's move on. :)

-W

I'm pretty sure that there's no bias towards members of Tal. We only have 3 Taldryan vets on the DC - as compared to times of old where half of the DC or more were from Tal.