Arconans,

I come to you today with a few pieces of news. Snippets, if you like, of the Consul/Proconsul Report myself and Marick will be releasing very soon. Nevertheless, they are important to each and every one of you, so please take the time to read what I have to say.

Firstly, and most importantly, I would like to say sorry. I extend my absolute, wholehearted apology to each and every one of you. This is no ploy, this is no 'fake apology' to try and curry favour with you all, this is a genuine, sincere attempt at making amends. I'll be blunt: I've fucked up. I've lost my connection with the members, and it's only now that I realised what made Arcona rise back to its former glory in the first place was the connection between the summit and the membership. I wont lie, reading some of the responses to the anonymous survey launched by our very own Kratus has been rather upsetting. No, upsetting is an understatement. It has caused a change. A change in the way I view the clan, a change in the way I view my position, and a change in the way I view each of you, the members.

I cannot put into words how hard-hitting some of the comments were, and I can only apologise for the way I have carried myself, and for the way some if you have perceived me. Even those individuals who feel certain aspects of the upper summit/Arconae's is not up to scratch, whether their point of view/interpretation of such is exclusive to them, the fact its still being perceived by even one member of the clan as such makes it an appropriate and true observation. It is because of this that I will endeavour to ensure that I address all of the comments made in the next few days (I can only apologise that this email has not come sooner, I've been in a bit of a tricky spot over the past few days).

I'd also like to say that if you feel that there is an 'elite clique' (or a sense of elitism) at the head of the clan, I can only apologise. This is absolutely notwhat I want the case to be. Each and every one of you from the Journeymen to the Elders are a vital part of this clan; for you to feel excluded by your summit, for you to feel you aren't given the ability to adequately voice your opinions on which path your clan should take, then something is one-hundred per cent wrong. You should be consulted, you should feel included, you should feel excited about the Clan's direction. In the same vain, I can only apologise that some of you feel you aren't involved enough in the decision-making process. It is for this reason that we will be consulting the clan by way of poll-votes as to which direction to take in The Dark Crusade, and we will be giving credence to all points put across. This was the intention anyway, but I feel its best to assure you now that you are absolutely not going to be overlooked in the coming months.

In short, there is a significant amount of tension in the clan that was hitherto unknown, and thus continued to mount. In my 'response' email to some of the comments, I will address a number of points in-depth. But also, in our joint Consul-Proconsul Report, we will give you the opportunity to anonymously voice your opinion on whatever you like by way of an 'anonymous suggestion box' - an idea brought to us by a particular answer in this survey. If you're annoyed about a particular thing, you'll be able to drop us an anonymous note; if you feel you're being mistreated, you can drop us an anonymous note; hell, if you think we're going a grand job (which we're not), you can drop us an anonymous note. The point is, we want, and I want, to really help the clan, and the best way we feel we can do that, and also have you guys feel you are able to contribute fully, is through such a suggestion box.

While it may not seem it, everything I have done and will endeavour to do has not, and will not, be as a result of a desire for self-progression. I want the best for each and every one of you and the clan as a whole. I serve each and every one of you as I serve Arcona. Wally serves each and every one of you as he serves Arcona. We are here for you, the clan. If you want to chat, if you want to give your opinion, if you have any issues or problems, our responsibility is to every one of you as Arconans, friends and colleagues. It is for this reason that I have implemented a policy which will be enforced from here on in.

I think this policy will remove some of the questions pertaining to the objectivity and dedication to the clan's overall continued success by the clan summit, and their ability to think outside of personal progression and act in accordance with the clan's best interests. This policy is called the Shadow Oath and it will be taken by all Consuls upon their ascension to the position. Proconsuls should but are not required to adhere to it also. The general gist is that the Consul will be required to remove any family affiliation, any house affiliation, any affiliation in any form to any group whatsoever other than that of Clan Arcona and the Dark Jedi Brotherhood at large. You can find the Shadow Oath and a short fiction explaining its implementation here.

It is as a result of the Shadow Oath that I have left the Entar Family for an indefinite period of time. And by indefinite, I mean I will never ever be a part of said family again. Nor will I be joining any family, affiliating myself with any groups or houses for the rest of my tenure as Consul, however long that may be.

I really hope you are all willing to give me a second chance to prove myself to all of you. I know many of you are comparing our war-mentality and openness a year ago to now. I want to make that openness and camaraderie a reality, and to do that, all I ask is that you give me the chance to do so.

I love Arcona, and I love each and every one of you. This clan has been my life for the past three years, I want to be able to walk away from my position whenever I step down and say that I did the best I possibly could for the members who resided within the clan, and who relied on our guidance.

Thank you for giving us this information, thank you for trusting in us for so long, and I can only hope we can serve you better and develop as a result of this survey.

Arcona Invicta!