Rank (Dark Brotherhood)
Ranks are used to reward members who have consistently performed over a period of time. They designate seniority and the powers a member may use.
Current Ranks[edit]
Transcendant Ranks[edit]
Transcendent Ranks are the most powerful members of the Brotherhood, those who delve the deepest into Dark Side lore and philosophy and wield power on a massive scale. Those who have great influence and power in the Brotherhood.
Sith Ranks[edit]
The Sith Ranks are the main body of the Brotherhood membership. These are the front line warriors, those who lead or carry out raids, investigate enigmas, and meet attacks on the Brotherhood with dark ferocity. These ranks are also those who often take on a mentor role for members that haven’t advanced sufficiently to reach the first true recognition as a Sith.
- Inquisitor (INQ) (Two lightsabers or a lightstaff can be constructed and wielded)
- Assassin (ASN)
- Sorcerer (SOR) (A custom lightsaber can be constructed)
- Warrior (WAR)
- Knight (KNT) (A member's first true lightsaber can be constructed)
Training Ranks[edit]
The Training ranks are made up of the members that have sufficiently proved their devotion to the Dark Side to warrant more instruction, but have yet to master their connection to the Dark Side to be considered true Sith.
Aspirant Ranks[edit]
The Aspirant Ranks are made up of those that feel the call of the Dark Side and have recognized their connection to it, but have not yet proven their devotion to the Dark Side and Brotherhood enough to be admitted to more intensive instruction.
Rank Elevations[edit]
It is a great honor when any Sith receives a rank elevation. When a Sith advances, it is because a mentor has determined that the member has surpassed the abilities of his current rank. Only certain Sith can give rank elevations to others. However, anyone may recommend someone for advancement. The Grand Master and the Master-at-Arms have final jurisdiction over all advancements. If they do not find the candidate to be worthy, then no elevation is given. All advancements must be approved by the Master-at-Arms prior to the announcement of the new rank, with the sole exception of the Master at Arms, who is able to directly confer an elevation to Novice upon completion of Apprentice Studies.
- Fleet Commander/Grand Master: May promote up to the level of Darth (D)
- Deputy Grand Master: May promote up to the level of Adept (ADT)
- Dark Council Members: May promote up to the level of Inquisitor (INQ)
- Clan Consuls: May promote up to the level of Assassin (ASN)
- Clan Proconsuls: May promote up to the level of Knight (KNT)
- Quaestors: May promote up to the level of Stalker (ST)
- Aediles: May promote up to the level of Juggernaut (JUG)
- Battleteam Leaders: May promote up to the level of Marauder (MRD)
The Path To Knighthood[edit]
The path to becoming a Knight can be attained either through self directed study, allowing a member to sample various activities at their own pace and level of interest, or through an accelerated training program called the Master/Student Program.
In the first instance a member explores either slowly or at a breakneck pace any option for activity and involvement catching their interest. This path is equally suitable to a member that likes to do a small bit of absolutely everything or to focus exclusively on a single activity with no distractions. Either choice can lead to an impressive career in the Dark Brotherhood.
The second path of advancement is the Master/Student Program. On this path, a member seeks out a more experienced Master that has already reached at least the rank of Knight to guide them to a place among the Sith ranks. This program will be individually worked out between the Student and Master, then approved by the Clan Consul and ultimately the Grandmaster to be in line with both the overall rules and goals of the Program itself as well as any additional guidance from the Clan they are a part of. Members interested in this path to Knighthood should contact their Clan Summit for further Clan specific details.
The Master/Student Program[edit]
This description is intended to provide prospective Master/Student Program (MSP) directors with ideas for starting a MSP. This outline can be used to start a very simple MSP, though I will list add-ons that can make your program more interesting and fun for the participants
The first true Master/Student Program began after the Sith War. The only surviving Sith, Darth Bane, decided not to openly challenge the powerful Jedi, for the Jedi would crush any attempt to further the Dark Side en masse. Instead, Darth Bane taught the Dark Side in secret. He took on one student, and thus the knowledge of the Dark Side was passed on - one person at a time. For thousands of years, only two in the galaxy trained in the ways of the Dark Side of the Force.
With Darth Sidious’ ascension to Emperor, the need to train in secrecy ended, and Dark Side training began in earnest. With the Jedi all but abolished, the Sith grew in number, adding members from all across the galaxy, and from all areas of the Empire. Those who showed potential were recruited into the ranks of the Sithi. As the ranks of the Sith grew, new training methods had to be established, as the number of Students far exceeded the number of Masters. Thus, Dark Side training academies were erected - not only to train new initiates, but to expand the knowledge base of the Dark Side.
The Dark Brotherhood became a home to many Sith who sought refuge after the unfortunate events at Endor. To train the next generation of Sith, the Dark Brotherhood’s leaders opted to follow the academy model of training, as they no longer feared retribution from the puny amount of Jedi left in the galaxy. Thus, the Shadow Academy was born. It became a place for studying, teaching, and learning the ways of the Dark Side of the Force. Many students have passed through the doors of the Shadow Academy, each growing stronger in the Force through study of the Dark Side.
However; some Sith longed for the days of the Master/Student system - not for the secrecy, but for the individual instruction each student received. The Shadow Academy, though it performed a task no other facility could, was not able to provide this individual attention. A revised version of the Master/Student pairings was created, and implemented successfully..This allowed students to learn side-by-side with experienced Sith, dramatically improving their skills - and giving their masters the opportunity to practice their leadership skills at the same time.
Basics[edit]
A Master/Student Program can be as complicated or as simple as you want to make it. You can have long lists of requirements, procedures, tests, etc., or you can have none. However, there are some aspects of a MSP that are found in all programs, large and small. Herein are some common features of all, with suggestions for new programs.
To be eligible for this program you must be a Knight or higher to be a master and a Stalker or lower to be a student. Anyone at all can join as Students (Coming in as an APP and starting right off as a student)
Typically, students can be any rank lower than Knight and Masters can be any rank Knight and higher
Joining[edit]
The program is not mandatory. Both the master and the student most agree to the program for it to be in effect. It is recommended that lower-level members join early.
Pairing[edit]
Sometimes random pairing works, sometimes people request a specific Student or Master, and sometimes pairs must be decided in advance before both the Student and Master join the program. As the program director, the GM has the final say in determination of Master/Student pairings.
Though only a few people said they had specific activities for their MSP, most of them liked the activities - and wanted more. These can be organized either by you or the individual masters, though having a list of activities for students to do would definitely be useful. Some examples of activities or tasks that the Master could ask of the Student include but are not limited to:
- Training course(s) completion in the Academies
- Competition participation
- Master/Student "in-game" pairings/instruction
- Writing exercises
- Roleplaying
- Discord activities
Rank Advancement/Awards[edit]
Programs set by the Masters must meet approval by the Grand Master for rank advancement timeline and what activities will be performed to reach each stage.
Masters, though, should be rewarded for their efforts, as they are volunteering their time for the benefit of the Clan. For each rank awarded their student a Master will receive a medal. Other ways to reward a master are subject to review of the Grand Master at the Masters request and at the beginning of the training. This will not be changed mid-training.
Knight Trials[edit]
The rank of Knight is perhaps the most anticipated of any rank in the entire EH for obvious reasons. This program makes sure students meet the basic criteria and more. However, Masters are encouraged to have specific tasks their students must perform in order to be promoted to Knight. Following what we know from canon, these tasks are combined and called the Knight trials. Some Knight trials include writing multiple pieces of fiction in various styles, flying in all forms, fighting a series of progressively more difficult fights, and the like Other Knight trials are not as rigidly set, but rather take into account the Student’s strengths and weaknesses. This type of trial might have a student who is good at poetry but not so great at prose focus on stories rather than poems. Exams to test a Knight candidate’s worthiness are also encouraged but not required. These exams can be on something specific (the Dark Side Compendium), broad (the EH and DB as a whole), or even multiple exams. The Trials should be a part of the plan submitted to the Grand Master for approval.
Conclusion[edit]
Always remember that the Master/Student Program is designed to help the student adapt to life as a Dark Brotherhood member. As well, they are designed to give masters a chance to impart their wisdom. Obtaining the rank of Knight or higher is only a side benefit. The program should be fun, but should not interfere with normal Clan duties. Be flexible: if your Master/Student Program members want a highly structured program, then the master should create one. If they want a more relaxed and easy-going program, then the master should create one. Experiment with different approaches, rules, activities, etc., as you may find that your students prefer certain things over others.
