Dark Side Degrees are a method of rewarding those who put forth extended time and effort at the Shadow Academy. Originally created by Headmaster Kaiann, the system of degrees was expanded upon under the reigns of Headmasters following.
Degree Levels and Types
There were four levels of Dark Side Degrees when originally created by Headmaster Kaiann, and an additional fifth level was adopted to fit the Fundamentals Department. The levels of degrees, with college level equivalents where applicable, are as follows:
- Dark Pundit (Certificate)
- The entry level, these degrees typically require only passing courses in the Fundamentals Department.
- A minimum of 3-4 courses will be required for a Dark Pundit Degree to be created.
- Dark Maven (Bachelors)
- The basic level, these degrees typically require only passing certain exams with certain scores. Some practical portions may be included.
- A minimum of 3-4 courses will be required for a Dark Maven Degree to be created. If only 3 courses are used, then some type of practical portion to the exam will be implemented.
- Dark Savant (Masters)
- Somewhat harder, these degrees require two Dark Maven degrees (specific to each subject area), plus a certain number of electives, and they may also include a practical portion.
- Dark Sage (PhD)
- The highest level most members can obtain, Dark Sage degrees denote great skill and hard work that goes above and beyond typical Shadow Academy work.
- Master of Dark Lore
With the exception of Master of Dark Lore, the degrees are open to the general membership and the only thing preventing a member from obtaining a degree will be the member.
General Rules
For all academic degrees, the following rules apply:
- An exam grade of 85% or higher is required for the course to count toward the degree.
- If an exam grade is below 85%, the member will be given one chance to retake the exam and score a grade of 85% or higher.
- If a member fails to achieve a grade of 85% or higher after retaking the exam, they will be ineligible for that degree for three months, after which they may retake the exam again, and so on and so forth.
- For Service degrees, you must be a member of the Shadow Academy staff.
Revocation
At any point deemed necessary by the Headmaster, a member's degree may be revoked and removed from his/her dossier. Cheating on any Shadow Academy exam is automatic grounds for revoking of degrees, as is any Chamber of Justice conviction. Revoking degrees is handled on a case-by-case basis by the Headmaster, however, and it is entirely up to the Headmaster whether or not to remove the degree. If a Dark Maven is removed, however, then the Dark Savant that follows, if obtained, will also be removed.
Adding/Removing Degrees
As more courses open in the Shadow Academy, more degrees may be added to the available options. However, extra “filler” courses will not be created simply to allow the creation of a degree, even if it means that a certain subject area must remain without a degree. All courses must meet certain quality standards.
As the Shadow Academy is constantly changing and adapting, there is a possibility that a course will be removed, thus negating a degree. In this event, the previously awarded degrees will still stand, and a list of no longer existing degrees will be maintained.
SA Degree Requirements
Dark Pundit
Dark Pundit degrees are an entry level degrees offered at the Shadow Academy and are essentially the Shadow Academy equivalent to a national certificate or diploma. They require Fundamentals Department courses to be passed.
| Dark Pundit
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| Degree
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Requirements
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| Essentials (DPE)
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| Communications (DPCM)
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| Competitions (DPCP)
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Dark Maven
Dark Maven degrees are the most basic degrees offered at the Shadow Academy and are essentially the Shadow Academy equivalent to a bachelor’s degree. They require basic courses to be passed, although some also have practical requirements.
The Dark Maven Degree
| Dark Maven
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| Degree
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Requirements
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| Leadership (MVL)
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| Writing (MVW)
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| Philosophy (MVPH)
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| Galactic History (MVH)
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| Lore (MVLO)
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| Flight (MVF)
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| Combat (MVC)
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| Legends (MVLD)
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| Historical Legends (MVHL)
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| Service (MVS)
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- Serve as a member of the Shadow Academy Staff for at least five months
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Dark Savant
Dark Savant degrees are the third tier of degrees offered at the Shadow Academy. In general, they require one or more Dark Maven degrees (specific to each Dark Savant degree) and electives. Certain practical tests may be included.
The Dark Savant Degree
| Dark Savant
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| Degree
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Requirements
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| Service (SVS)
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- Serve the Shadow Academy for an extended period of time
- Approximately eight months or more
- Working on special SA projects will count towards overall time and may be “banked” for up to one year.
- Hold a position of Professor or higher.
- All positions require excellent service. The immediate superior shall determine the awarding.
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| Leadership and Communication (SVLC)
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| Warfare (SVW)
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| Tactics (SVT)
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| Writing and Philosophy (SVWP)
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- Dark Maven- Writing
- Dark Maven- Philosophy
- All five Order CORE exams
- Test of Wisdom
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| History and Lore (SVHL)
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| Legends
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Dark Sage
Dark Sage degrees are the fourth tier of degrees offered at the Shadow Academy. Dark Sage degrees require great effort and are not offered very often.
The Dark Sage Degree
| Dark Sage
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| Degree
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Requirements
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| History and Lore
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- Dark Savant- History and Lore
- Dark Savant- Legends
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| Writing (SGW)
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- This degree is currently unattainable until further notice
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| Service (SGS)
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- Provide long term, superior service to the Academy while holding a position of no lower than Magistrate. This includes writing multiple exams, being involved in multiple projects, and maintaining constant activity at the Academy. This will be very rare, but specific members may be worthy of this. The minimum time to even begin being considered for this degree is one year, but many times it will be even longer.
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| Law (SGL)
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| Programming (SGP)
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- Provide long term, superior service to the Office of the Seneschal while holding a position of no lower than Magistrate. This degree is awarded at the discretion of the sitting Seneschal. Generally, the minimum time to even begin being considered for this degree is six months, but substantial applied efforts may warrant a shorter time frame.
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| Warfare (SGW)
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- Dark Savant: Warfare
- Advanced Warfare
- Attain GMRG Rank X (2220 Clusters of Fire, 10 Pendants of Blood)
- Acquire 3620 Warfare Points
- Every Cluster of Earth = 1 point
- Every Cluster of Fire = 2 points
- Every Pendant of Blood = 40 points
- Every First Place in a Novae-Awarding Gaming Competition = 75 points
- Every Second Place in a Novae-Awarding Gaming Competition = 60 points
- Every Third Place in a Novae-Awarding Gaming Competition = 45 points
- Every First Place in a First Level Crescents Gaming Competition = 75 points
- Every Second Place in a First Level Crescents Gaming Competition = 60 points
- Every First Place in a Second Level Crescents Gaming Competition = 60 points
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| Tactics (SGT)
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- Dark Savant: Tactics
- Reach INQ Society Rank X
- Acquire 3000 Tactical Points
- Every Cluster of Ice = 10 points
- Every ACC Battle = 20 points
- Every ACC Win = 15 points
- Every First Place in a Novae-Awarding Fiction Competition = 75 points
- Every Second Place in a Novae-Awarding Fiction Competition = 60 points
- Every Third Place in a Novae-Awarding Fiction Competition = 45 points
- Every First Place in a First Level Crescents Fiction Competition = 75 points
- Every Second Place in a First Level Crescents Fiction Competition = 60 points
- Every First Place in a Second Level Crescents Fiction Competition = 60 points
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Disclaimer, Conclusion, and Credits
The Headmaster reserves the right to alter degree requirements at any time, so long as they are applied equally across the Brotherhood.
The system described above resulted largely from the ideas of Dacien "BubbaX" Victae, though they were inspired by the original degree system created by Kaiann, which was further refined by Spears, Anshar Kahn Tarentae, and Aabsdu.