DB:Dark Side Compendium Ranks

Ranks and Titles are used to reward members who have consistently performed over a period of time. They designate seniority and the powers a member may wield.

Ranks are earned over time, based on a member's activity and the positions that they hold within the Order. The further a member progresses in an Order, the greater the rank they will inevitably earn.

Titles, meanwhile, are earned in a similar manner, but are based on which Path a member follows. A member may use any Title they have previously earned, allowing them to switch out Titles as they see fit, selecting whichever they feel is appropriate for their character at a given time.

Ranks

Each rank has a set of requirements, with certain ranks being available only to members currently holding certain positions. In addition to meeting time and position requirements, members must meet minimum experience points (EXP) requirements as well. Ultimately, a member must always contribute a significant amount of activity to the Secret Order in order to qualify for promotion to a new rank.

For certain position appointments, a member may be advanced to a higher rank more appropriate to that position. These promotions are contingent upon faithful service in the newly appointed position, and may be reversed by the Dark Council if the member fails to uphold the position they were appointed to.

Ranks that may be granted by appointment to a position are indicated in the tables below.

Secret Order Ranks

The following section lists each rank, along with its time requirement, position requirements (where applicable), experience points (EXP) requirements, and the legacy Dark Brotherhood rank designation that has since been superseded by the new Secret Order rank system. Ranks are separated by category and listed from lowest to highest.

A Note on Minimum Time for Ranks
Ranks reflect one's progress in honing their unique skills, and therefore one's powers must grow at a progressive rate. While a time component ensures a natural progression, time alone is not enough to guarantee a promotion. Members should demonstrate their commitment to the Secret Order via general activity and participation in competitions, and any time requirement should take into consideration not minimum time since last rank, but time spent being an active member of the Secret Order at that rank. Furthermore, the Dark Council may chose to ignore a minimum time requirement in cases where exceptional performance (particularly in a leadership role) warrants an increase in rank without further delay.

Aspirant Ranks

Aspirant Ranks are for new members of the Secret Order. Advancing through these ranks typically involves simple activities, giving new members a chance to learn the fundamentals and find their place as a member of the Secret Order.

Rank	Requirements	XP Minimum	Former Name
Initiate (INI)	Join the Secret Order	n/a	Initiate (INI)
Novitiate (NOV)	Appointment to a House	375 exp	Apprentice (APP)
Neophyte (NEO)	One month of active service as a Novitiate	750 exp	Novice (NOV)

Adept Ranks

Adept ranks are available to all members of the Secret Order. Members at this level must also have demonstrated a commitment to understanding the inner workings of the Secret Order, but otherwise will advance by continuing to be active.

Rank	Requirements	EXP Minimum	Former Name
Acolyte (ACO)	2 month of active service as Neophyte Completion of DBCORE	1,500 exp	Acolyte (ACO)
Armsman (ARM)	2 month of active service as Acolyte	2,250 exp	Marauder (MRD)

Apprentice Ranks

Apprentice ranks are available to all members of the Secret Order and represent a critical point along the member's journey into the Secret Order: the time when they should be thinking about how they will complete their creative works and ultimately ascend to the rank of Knight.

Rank	Requirements	XP Minimum	Former Name
Chosen (CHSN)	4 active months of service as Armsman OR Appointment to House Quaestor	3,750 xp	Juggernaut (JUG)
Squire (SQUR)	4 active months of service as Chosen Completion of Creative Work #1 Completion of Lightsaber Construction	5,250 exp	Stalker (ST)

Sith Ranks

Sith Ranks represent the turning point in a member's journey in the Secret Order, as members transition from a learner to a veteran. Knight, in particular, grants special privileges across all organizations in the Emperor's Hammer: the right to openly carry a lightsaber on any uniform/armor/robes.

Rank	Requirements	XP Minimum	Former Name
Knight (KNT)	6 active months of service as Squire Completion of Creative Work #2 Completion of Lightsaber Techniques Completion of Lightsaber: Training Saber	7,500 exp	Knight (KNT)
Warden (WDN)	6 active months of service as Knight	9,750 exp	Warrior (WAR)

Ascendant Ranks

Ascendant Ranks, once the domain for only those in leadership roles in the Secret Order, are now open to all who can prove their worth. These ranks represent the highest qualifications members can achieve without being a part of the Dark Council, and are intended to reward members whom have committed significant time and energy as part of the Secret Order.

Rank	Requirements	XP Minimum	Former Name
Preceptor (PTR)	8 active months of service as Warden	12,750 exp	Sorcerer (SOR)
Marshall (MSHL)	8 active months of service as Preceptor	15,750 exp	Assassin (ASN)

Transcendent Ranks

Transcendent Ranks are primarily reserved for leadership, and are typically earned via appointment and/or lengthy service as a member of the Dark Council. While a member will retain their rank after leaving the Dark Council, no further promotions will be available to them unless they return to a Dark Council position.

Rank	Requirements	XP Minimum	Former Name
Inquisitor (INQ)	Appointment to the Dark Council	n/a	Inquisitor (INQ)
Grand Inquisitor (GINQ)	Lengthy service as a member of the Dark Council	n/a	Adept (A)
Baron (BRN)	Lengthy service as a member of the Dark Council	n/a	Master (M)
Lord (LORD)	Lengthy service as the Commander of the Guard	n/a	Lord (L)
Regent (RGNT)	Appointment to the position of Grand Master	n/a	Darth (D)

Minimum/Maximum Ranks

Each position within the Secret Order has a minimum AND maximum rank that a member may earn through the course of serving in a particular position. However, when a member has served above and beyond the call of duty, that member may be promoted over the typical maximum rank. In these instances, approval of a promotion above the typical maximum allowable rank for any position will fall under the discretion and/or agreement of the Dark Council.

Note: Returning members in good standing to ANY position will retain the rank that was achieved in prior service.

Position	Appointment Rank	Maximum Rank
Grand Master	Regent	Regent
Commander of the Guard	Grand Inquisitor	Lord
Dark Council	Inquisitor	Baron
Quaestor	Chosen	Inquisitor
Praetor: Quaestor	Acolyte	Marshall
House Member	Apprentice	Marshall

Requesting Rank Promotions

It is a great honour when any operative receives a rank elevation. When an operative advances, it is because a leader has determined that the operative has surpassed the abilities of his current rank. Only certain positions may request rank promotions for others, and all rank elevations must be approved by the Grand Master or Master-at-Arms.

The following is a list of who may request rank promotions:

Position	May Promote To
Grand Master	Lord
Commander of the Guard	Baron
Dark Council	Inquisitor
Quaestor	Warden

Titles

Titles represent a new feature of the Secret Order, whereby members can earn unique titles that they can display on their character together with (or, in some cases, in place of) their rank.

The titles that are available to members depends on their Path, with each Path featuring its own set of titles. Additionally, some special titles are available and can be awarded by different members of the Dark Council.

Members can decide which title they wish to use; they are not limited to the title they have most recently been awarded (or "unlocked") and may switch to any earned title at any time.

Path Titles

Path Titles are earned by advancing in rank while following a particular Path. Titles are automatically unlocked upon earning the associated rank, depending upon the Path selected by the member.

The following tables lists each Path Title, along with the rank that must be achieved to unlock it, and the Path that the member must follow to achieve it.

Secret Order Path Titles

The following Titles are available to members that follow the Path of the Secret Order.

Title	Requirements
First Circle	Member must follow the Path of the Secret Order and be promoted to the rank of Acolyte (ACO)
Second Circle	Member must follow the Path of the Secret Order and be promoted to the rank of Chosen (CHSN)
Third Circle	Member must follow the Path of the Secret Order and be promoted to the rank of Knight (KNT)
Fourth Circle	Member must follow the Path of the Secret Order and be promoted to the rank of Preceptor (PTR)
Inner Circle	Member must follow the Path of the Secret Order and be promoted to the rank of Inquisitor (INQ)

Orbalisk Path Titles

The following Titles are available to members that follow the Path of the Orbalisk.

Title	Requirements
Apprentice	Member must follow the Path of the Orbalisk and be promoted to the rank of Acolyte (ACO)
Marauder	Member must follow the Path of the Orbalisk and be promoted to the rank of Chosen (CHSN)
Warrior	Member must follow the Path of the Orbalisk and be promoted to the rank of Knight (KNT)
Warlord	Member must follow the Path of the Orbalisk and be promoted to the rank of Preceptor (PTR)
Conqueror	Member must follow the Path of the Orbalisk and be promoted to the rank of Inquisitor (INQ)

Krath Path Titles

The following Titles are available to members that follow the Path of the Krath.

Title	Requirements
Disciple	Member must follow the Path of the Krath and be promoted to the rank of Acolyte (ACO)
Seer	Member must follow the Path of the Krath and be promoted to the rank of Chosen (CHSN)
Sorcerer	Member must follow the Path of the Krath and be promoted to the rank of Knight (KNT)
Maester	Member must follow the Path of the Krath and be promoted to the rank of Preceptor (PTR)
Archmaester	Member must follow the Path of the Krath and be promoted to the rank of Inquisitor (INQ)

Collective Path Titles

The following Titles are available to members that follow the Path of the Collective.

Title	Requirements
Stalker	Member must follow the Path of the Collective and be promoted to the rank of Acolyte (ACO)
Hunter	Member must follow the Path of the Collective and be promoted to the rank of Chosen (CHSN)
Assassin	Member must follow the Path of the Collective and be promoted to the rank of Knight (KNT)
Operative	Member must follow the Path of the Collective and be promoted to the rank of Preceptor (PTR)
Arbiter	Member must follow the Path of the Collective and be promoted to the rank of Inquisitor (INQ)

Special Titles

Special Titles can be awarded to members, regardless of Path, by certain members of the Dark Council and Emperor's Hammer Command Staff. These special titles are intended to be awarded for spectacular service, typically to a specific member of the Dark Council.

Unlike Path Titles, members awarded special titles may use their special title in place of their assigned rank in all official forums and correspondence (if desired).

The following table lists each Special Title, along with the positions that are authorized to awarded it.

Title	Awarded by	Awarded for
Darth	May be awarded by the Fleet Commander, Executive Officer, or the Dark Council (by unanimous decision)	For exceptional service to the Secret Order
Master	May be awarded by the Fleet Commander, Executive Officer, or the Dark Council (by unanimous decision)	For exceptional service to the Secret Order
Blademaster	May be awarded by the Fleet Commander, Executive Officer, or the Dark Council (by unanimous decision)	For exceptional service to the Commander of the Guard
Tetan Alchemist	May be awarded by the Fleet Commander, Executive Officer, or the Dark Council (by unanimous decision)	For exceptional service to the Master-at-Arms
Naur'alor	May be awarded by the Fleet Commander, Executive Officer, or the Dark Council (by unanimous decision)	For exceptional service to the Herald