Dark Jedi Brotherhood News http://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/ News from the Dark Side of the Holonet. en-us DA Seraine "Erinyes" T�nama Report http://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/dbjedi/comments.asp?ID=R:12877
-The ACC Eraser competition is over, and wins/losses have been applied to everyone's records, where applicable. Congrats to Callus and Timeros on being tied for the most wins in the competitions.

-I'm planning on running a Journeymen competition sometime in the next couple of weeks. Hopefully this will give all you lower-ranked peeps a little extra chance to get promoted. Stay tuned for more info.

-Just a note on the ACC Basics course: I've seen a lot of people who are answering the question about "how many times can x rank use y power" using the old Force Pool system - that is, each power costs a certain number of points. The ACC does not use this system anymore. More broadly, all of the ACC rules currently in use can be found in the ACC Handbook; the old Compendium is only there for reference and a historical view.

That's all from me for this week. Stay tuned for more.

Dark Side Adept Seraine T�nama
Dark Brotherhood Combat Master]]> Wiki Tribune incognito http://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/dbjedi/comments.asp?ID=N:5575
I believe the Wiki Staff will be able to handle my absence and maintain the Wiki to my standards - but please don't burn down the Wiki while I'm gone, I'd like to have something to come home to.]]> DJM Syn Kaek Report http://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/dbjedi/comments.asp?ID=R:12872
News

The MAA Administered AWOL checks ended not too long ago and reduced our numbers to a more �realistic� level. Since the completion of the checks, a few people have transferred back into Clans or migrated elsewhere. I don�t take any of this into account in keeping my member count updated since the checks are only aimed at ensuring a periodic accurate count � kind of like a census. Since no Clans are in danger of being downgraded to a House right now, this isn�t that big of a deal.

I recently released a new definitive Titles and Honorifics policy to the Brotherhood. It will hopefully be posted to the wiki soon (UPDATE: here it is). We decided to draft and release this policy since we had received a number of questions regarding House titles. I decided we should create a definitive document that encompassed all of the current established and unwritten rules regarding titles and honorifics. The result is what you see. Most of the statements in the document are just codifications of procedures that we have been following for a long time. I just thought it would be a good idea to write it down somewhere.

The Journeyman Promotion Requirements have been updated to version 1.2. I clarified the use of Shadow Academy courses and I decreased the length of some of the fiction requirements. Check the change log for more specific details. Of all the things in the requirements, I received the most complaints about the length of the fiction projects. I worked with various leaders throughout the Brotherhood to reevaluate the tasks themselves and then determined that it would be better to lower the requirements. Hopefully, these are more manageable for most members. If you are a leader, please review the changes! The current requirements can be found on the wiki at this link.

I got a sweet new (my first, actually) warbanner which you can see here:



My thanks to Shikyo for making this for me.

And lastly, yes, I screwed up the database again. The Tribune issue will be fixed as soon as possible :P

Policy Updates and Clarifications

Nothing this month besides the Titles and Honorifics policy that I already discussed.

Projects

Medal Revision Project: In progress � I am about 40% finished with this

MAA AWOL Checks: Complete

Promotion Requirements for Journeymen: Released � updated to version 1.2

Brotherhood Administrative Code (renamed): In progress � this project has morphed from administrative cleanup to something much more ambitious. I wrote out the Title and Honorifics policy quickly in a day or two. It inspired me to go back and collect all the policy and procedure statements that have been promulgated since I first became MAA and put them down in one centralized document. That document, the Brotherhood Administrative Code, would then be made public (and beautifully HTMLized by Arion) so that members can more easily access all the information they need. It makes life easier for everyone!

Work on the Code is going very well. I have been working on it for a week or two and have already collected all policy statements regarding MAA duties going back to my first tenure as MAA. I combed through the Codex, the Covenant, the Wiki, all my news posts and reports, all of Krav and Halc�s news posts and reports, and all of the policy documents and statements relating to MAA duties that were posted on the website. I have divided them into categories and placed them in one massive 35 page document that I am now editing and reorganizing. The final document will not be 35 pages so rest easy. My aim is to make everything as clear and concise as possible. I hope to be finished with this before the end of summer and maybe even before the end of July. I hope it will be a valuable resource for the membership.

Staff

<3 Anshar

Ask Kaek

No one ever sends me questions :-(

Closing Remarks

I�m sure Vardar will (UPDATE: he did) bring this to everyone�s attention sooner rather than later but I think it�s really important. LucasArts has decided to re-release a large number of its older games on Steam. Currently they have only released a few but they intend to release more if the sales for the current batch are good. For those of you not familiar with Steam, it is a digital distribution platform developed by Valve Software that allows games and patches to be directly downloaded to your computer and played without a CD. You can find out more at the Steam site.

What�s really great about this re-release is that these games have been redesigned to work on most modern machines. This includes some classic LucasArts adventure games like the Fate of Atlantis, Loom, and The Dig (individually available at 5 bucks a piece). They utilize recompiled executables that are designed to run in a Windows environment. I was able to get all the old adventure games and Republic Commando to run in Windows 7 with no problems, no tweaking, no cracks; nothing. You don�t even need to use ScummVM (a wonderful program) to run the adventure games.

I highly recommend that you check out the press release and the developer�s page.

Additionally, LucasArts will be releasing a special edition of the original Monkey Island game within the next week which features both the original graphics and enhanced graphics with voice acting. What�s even better is that this enhanced edition is priced at only 10 dollars! Adventure game fans rejoice!

I�m very hopeful that LucasArts will see fit to release more of their classic games in the future. All of these games are well priced, easy to obtain, run very well without a bunch of tweaking and are great for the DB. Republic Commando is already available for only 10 dollars. Now�can I get original TIE Fighter please? :P

Dark Jedi Master Syn Kaek
Master At Arms
---
DJM Syn Kaek (Sith)/MAA/Dark Council [ACC: OPR]
AK/GC-PoTP/SC-SoH/AC-ToSC/DC-GP/SN-BL/Cr-8A-2S-3E-5T-3Q/CF-SF/DSS-BL/SI-AuL/SoL-BE/LS-AuL/S:-9M-3R-1C-2D-3Do-4Dk-1Rm-14P-1U
{SA: MVN}]]> This just in! http://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/dbjedi/comments.asp?ID=N:5574
Yes, you at the back. Ah, well.

For all those of you who don't know what Steam is, it is basically a fast and easy way to register your games and respective CD keys to an account in your name. No more of that 'I lost my CD' trouble or game serial for that matter (I myself have lost CD-keys on one or two occasion and I know how frustrating it is). Easy multiplayer gaming for all!

This new development in the gaming scene will affect us directly in that it will be much easier (and cheaper) to get the games that have become increasingly popular throughout our beloved club such as BF2 and RC. Steam is a free program, downloadable right there: http://cdn.steampowered.com/download/SteamInstall.msi Go check it out.

More details on the games to be released: http://store.steampowered.com/news/2644]]> Transferring to House Revan http://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/dbjedi/comments.asp?ID=N:5572
DJM Kaek]]> DJBWiki News Alert http://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/dbjedi/comments.asp?ID=N:5571
If you upload an image, it cannot exceed the dimensions of 800 x 600 pixels - not that you need an image to be that big for the Wiki. This does not affect current images already uploaded. But if it's frickin' big shrink it down to an optimal size.

If you upload an image, please do not use the PNG format.



On a side note, we do not have a Ter�s K�si page on the Wiki. If you need to link to it, use the old and reliable Wookiepedia shortcut like so: [[starwars:Ter�s K�si|Ter�s K�si]]. In fact, make sure to update your pages to have the Wookiepedia shortcut and not the full length link - it works a lot easier and looks a lot better (no arrow).

You can also do this for your dossier [[dossier:153|153]]

Thanks gang]]> Tribunes http://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/dbjedi/comments.asp?ID=N:5570
Just kidding.

No, we did not fire all the Tribunes (though sometimes I wish we could). While trying to make some changes to the position/unit management of the database, I ran into a nasty SQL bug that has temporarily screwed up the Tribunes as a unit. We're working on fixing it. On the flip side, the Council Assistants roster page is now readable and organized (except for the obsolete positions at the bottom)!

So don't harass anyone about applying for the positions: they are not open. You can, however, harass me for screwing up the database.

Thanks
DJM Syn Kaek]]> DA Aabsdu di Plagia Dupar Report http://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/dbjedi/comments.asp?ID=R:12856


8 July 2009
Headmaster Report #27

Victory II-class Star Destroyer Paladin
Orbit of Antei
Three months after the retaking of Antei....

The calm of the new flagship was at first unnoticeable. He had been used to hearing the roar of the Arcanum's massive ion engines as they drifted through the unknown. The floor itself would hum at times, if he really put his mind in a state of awareness. Now there was nothing of the Arcanum left. Its crew, commander, and technology had all been replaced. The Headmaster stared out of the wide holo-window at the planet below. The price of Antei's recapture was a high one.

His eyes made their way westward, across stars and other Brotherhood vessels until he rested on a small orb to the distance. Lyspair. He could feel it pulling him almost through the ship�s hull, he subconsciously put all of his weight into heals as if he half expected to be jettisoned into the vast space between the ship and the small moon. He shook his head as he pressed a button on his wrist communicator.

"Praetor, join me on the bridge if you will." His eyes never left the moon.

He was jarred out of his quiet trance when a familiar presence came up beside him. Aabsdu nodded and pointed out towards the starboard side of the ship. There, hovering around fifty meters off the Paladin's wake were two vessels.

"Let me introduce to you the modified Assassin-class Corellia Corvette Pyralis, and the Vindicator Atrum Vorago," Aabsdu said with pride as he looked upon the Shadow Academy's new mobile defenses.

"They are impressive. They will make a fine addition to the Azura and Vespera... and of course, our latest gift from the Grand Master," Taigikori took a step back, looking around at the Paladin�s structure.

"There is still have one last thing to accomplish," Aabsdu coldly stated.




News

--I fell behind on reminding people about the Shadow Academy's June competition, so I've decided to leave it open through July 18, for my next report. Basically, read the fictional update in my last report, found here and write a short fiction detailing what happens. The winning submission is be featured in my next report. Submissions should be around one or two pages and sent to sacompetitions[at]gmail[dot]com while details for the event can be found here.

--What is the lightsaber? A weapon? A tool? Currently in the Shadow Academy, our course Lightsaber Studies seeks to teach the basics of lightsaber hilts, parts, and forms of combat, but a lightsaber doesn't stop there. It is for this reason that today marks the official release of Advanced Lightsaber Studies, written by none other than Grand Master Muz. As expected, it is advanced, and goes into more of the finer details of a lightsaber. The exam is also more practical, and requires understanding of the weapon rather than a simple knowledge of its parts. Still, a very cool course. Notes can be found in the Important Links section.

--As many of you pointed out during the Great Jedi War, dark side degrees require electives, but only a few of the electives are still active in the Shadow Academy. Indeed, electives were conceived as a way to use courses no longer offered, but that doesn't mean we're going to leave the newer members with no rope to hang on. One of the things I started as Headmaster was Blast from the Past Week, one week every six months when an old course would be reopened for members to take, and then use however they wanted. Well, security problems and then the GJW delayed our third running, but from July 12 through July 18, ESET will officially be reopened. Keep in mind this is an old course, and much of it is probably out of date (hence why it was removed), but nonetheless you can pass it to use in degrees. Link is below.

--I've mentioned this before, but we still get emails on it occasionally, so I wanted to reiterate it here. Along with all the new coding changes Arion implemented, one of them was a change in how the database handles course retakes. Now, you do not have to ask us to delete your old score first, just retake it, and the database will automatically replace the score. Note, however, that if your retake is lower, it still gets replaced, and we won't reverse it. That's the risk you take.




Projects

--In my next report I will be going over the details of a major restructuring of the Shadow Academy staff, specifically in relation to Eclectic Pedagogues, but until then just know that there will be less of us, and faster grading times. As always, let Taig and I know if your exam sits for more than five days. There's also discussion going on about new developments in how the Shadow Academy (and Brotherhood as a whole) handles new recruits, but that's in very early stages, so it's all speculation.

--Back at the beginning of the summer we took Ground Weapons offline so that we could start work on a more in-depth combat course, and we are nearing completion of Combat Tactics, which will include weapons, vehicles, droids, and other stuff. With Advanced Lightsaber Studies, Combat Tactics will also mark the release of a new Combat degree, so watch for that. We've also got another clan history course, a writing course, and a new DJBWiki course that are nearing completion, so stay tuned for news on all of that.




Important Links

--SA Website

--SA Degree Requirements

--SA Forums

--Advanced Lightsaber Studies

--ESET Notes




Summary

  • Submit to Reclamation of Lyspair competition!
  • Advanced Lightsaber Studies released!
  • Blast from the Past: ESET runs through July 18!
  • Want Change? It's coming...

Dark Side Adept Aabsdu di Plagia Dupar
Headmaster of the Brotherhood
]]> DP Kir Katarn Report http://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/dbjedi/comments.asp?ID=R:12855


Chamber of Justice Communique #029a

On this day, July 8, 2009 of the Liberated Brotherhood, I the Justicar of the Brotherhood now announce the punishment that this Chamber lays upon Arack Tavar. Upon the conclusion of fair and just proceedings, this Chamber finds you:

i) Cloning (two counts) -
You knowingly and willfully created the Dark Jedi Brotherhood personas "Angral" and "Vulcan" and used these unauthorized clones for gain.
The Chamber finds you GUILTY.

ii) False Statements (two counts) -
You knowingly and willfully gave false testimony to the Justicar in regards to the fraudulent registration of "Angral" and the existence of "Vulcan".
The Chamber finds you GUILTY.

Sentencing for the party is as follows:
-Demotion from DJK to APP
-Letter of Reprimand
-Six Months Probation

The terms of probation are thus:
-The guilty party may not receive promotion, appointment to position, or any citation or honor of merit without the explicit permission of the Justicar



Chamber of Justice Communique #029b
DB vs Arack - Justicar's Opinion

The original complaint was brought to the Justicar by a member with knowledge of potential cloning by Arack Tavar (aka Umbra/Talos). The member provided the Justicar with a series of emails and chat logs in which Arack admitted to having two clones, and named them both. Then in the later logs, Arack claimed that one of the clones had been taken over by his brother.

The Justicar started an investigation, and found numerous IP matches for Arack with the "Vulcan" and "Angral" dossiers. The Chamber archives held emails from Arack to the Justicar, in which Arack had claimed no knowledge of "Vulcan", and had registered "Angral" as his sibling. However, in one of the private emails provided to the Justicar, Arack admitted that "Vulcan" was a clone. In another email, Arack indicated that his other clone would be moving to a specific house - and the transfer records of "Angral" matched that house and exact date. The evidence indicated that Arack had created two clones, and given false testimony to the Chamber when previously questioned about them.

The Chamber then charged Arack with two counts of Cloning, and two counts of False Statements. The defendant plead guilty to the cloning and false statements charges stemming from the "Vulcan" dossier, and plead not guilty to the charges stemming from the "Angral" dossier (claiming it was his brother). As required by the Covenant, the defendant was given a choice of trial type, and Arack chose Trial by Justicar - and he provided a statement in his defense.

The Justicar convened the Chamber, and the case was discussed. In the provided statement, the defendant actually admitted creating the "Angral" clone, but claimed it was now used by his brother. This admission proved his guilt for the second cloning charge. As for the second false statements charge, the Chamber examined past inconsistencies ("Angral" was first claimed to be a clone, then a cousin, then a brother), and the fact that Arack had informed the Chamber he wished to have his dossier deleted, but not the "Angral" dossier - and determined it was more likely than not (the required preponderance of the evidence standard) that he was lying, and had thus fraudulently registered. Thus, the Chamber unanimously decided that the defendant was guilty on all counts.

Sentencing was decided by the Justicar, who took all aspects of the current case, and prior cases which set precedent into account. The defendant had not only cloned, but had fraudulently registered one of his clones in an attempt to escape prosecution. This was an extraordinary breach of the trust the entire registration system is built upon, and must be punished harshly. A precedent was established in 020 DB vs. Ricco for harsh punishment in unusual cloning cases (such as multiple clones), and the Justicar found it appropriate to extend this to false registrations as well. Therefore - for creating multiple clones and falsely registering them, Arack was demoted from Dark Jedi Knight to Apprentice, given an Official Letter of Reprimand and six months probation.

The Brotherhood's restrictions on clones exist to maintain a fair playing field for everyone in the organization. Clones can be used to easily manipulate competitions, thereby tarnishing the hard work done by honest, fair-minded members. This restriction is written in the Dark Covenant, posted on the join page, and the chamber of Justice repeatedly reminds members as well. We use a shared IP list as a way of separating clones from family members or friends from the same household - a list that functions on trust. Arack's actions were an offense against our cloning rules, and a flagrant violation of our collective trust. Given the online environment we function in, most aspects of our club are built on an underlying trust of each other. There is no greater Brotherhood crime than violating that trust - which is why harsh sentences are always given to those who do so.]]> Journeyman Promotion Requirements Updated http://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/dbjedi/comments.asp?ID=N:5569
All Journeymen and Clan and House leaders should review the changes carefully. Email me with any questions and concerns.]]> New LHoJ! http://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/dbjedi/comments.asp?ID=N:5568 Left Hand of Justice. I reviewed all the apps this morning, and I have made a decision. Before that, I wanted to take a moment to honor the current LHoJ, Xander. He has done excellent work during his time with the CoJ, and has been one of the best Hands of Justice who has ever served in my time as Justicar. Thank you for all your work and time, Xander.

Now, without further delay - the newest Left Hand of Justice is Arion Aquillarum Sunrider! Arion will serve his term over the next six months - and another note, Arion is the first HoJ to come from the newly established Independent House Revan.

Thank you to everyone who applied. The next Hand of Justice opening will be in September.]]> Quick Note http://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/dbjedi/comments.asp?ID=N:5567 GM Muz Ashen Report http://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/dbjedi/comments.asp?ID=R:12826



Report time. Mostly Announcements....




First things first. The first Independent House under the newest guidelines was approved today. It should come to no surprise to those that have been paying attenetion that Independent House Revan was being put together, and their work to get it off the ground was pretty solid. Well done.




I also recently filled a few positions. Halcyon Taldrya will be replacing the retiring Shadow Taldrya as Consul of Taldryan. Shad's real life just flared up in a dramatic fashion, and Halc was recommended highly by every summit member in the clan, and he's well loved over there, to say the least. Marmalade.


The position of Fiction Tribune will be filled by Eludajae M'nar. Ludy is not terribly well known across the club, but that will be changing soon. Her ideas for the position and her love for several of the key components that I am looking to have integrated fully into the club helped set her application ahead of the others. What kind of projects? Well, the astute would notice that a new RPG forum was set up. Details as they develop.


Atop that, Alexander Anderson was named as my Praetor. Xander's got a good work ethic, and his point of view compliments and contrasts mine in ways that will hell round out projects as we are developing them. Good things, all around.



What? There's more? Well, a little. Ladies in the club have been kinda underrepresented in the robes department, compared to the guys. After a good focus group, a few new robes for the ladies were designed. They've been uploaded to the robes gallery at clicky





Since I know how much you guys like to see stuff...






So, briefly:


Independent House Revan is Approved.


Halc is TALCON


Ludy is T:F


Xander is P:GM


New robes for the ladies.





And that's all for this time. Any questions, or anything i can help with, pm me on IRC or shoot me an email. Have fun!




]]> Taldryan Consul, Fiction Tribune, and Praetor to the GM http://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/dbjedi/comments.asp?ID=N:5566
Shadow retired from Taldryan Consul and Halcyon was nominated by pretty much the entire clan to replace him. Thanks go to Shad for his work, and congrats to Halc for being forced out of retirement again.

Eludajae was chosen as Fiction Tribune. Ludy had a solid application, and I've already discussed some in-depth plans with her for expanding activities in the DB.

Alexander Anderson was selected as P:GM. He's going to be helping me with about a million projects, and I look forward to working with him.


]]> DA Seraine "Erinyes" T�nama Report http://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/dbjedi/comments.asp?ID=R:12819 Hi everyone,


Apologies for my absence over the past couple of weeks - between being sick and work being hectic, my online time had been drastically cut down. Things are looking up for me, though, so I'll be able to be around more frequently.


The Eraser Competition ended yesterday, technically. Seeing as there are only three battles to be completed, though, I'll grant a grace period until 11:59 PM EST on Friday June 3 for the battles in the queue to be finished. We will be judging battles and tallying wins/losses during that period. Once everything is compiled, I'll be applying everyone's wins this weekend; everything will hopefully be finished by Sunday evening.


Also, now that the Eraser Competition is over, look for new competitions coming out in a couple of weeks. Ideally, we're going to be running a "lower ranks" ladder (whether capped by DB rank or ACC rank), and following that, a new ACC Championships. Stay tuned for more info!


That's all from me this week. Sorry for the brevity of the report; once I'm back on my feet from being sick and working crazy hours, I'll be able to give you something more substantial. And finally, Happy Canada Day to all us crazy Canucks!


In Darkness,
DA Seraine "Erinyes" T�nama
Dark Brotherhood Combat Master]]>