The Society of Envoys (often simply referred to as the Envoys), was a specialized society within the Dark Brotherhood. It was led by the Knight Commander of the Brotherhood, with oversight from the Headmaster.
With so many new members seeking out the Brotherhood, it was impossible for the Grand Master to know all of them, or to watch over their progress on the individual level. To this end, the Grand Master appointed a number of Dark Jedi to serve as his Envoys to the new members. Envoys were charged with aiding newcomers during the early steps of their career as Dark Jedi, when the new members are the most vulnerable to delusions of grandeur or the uncertainty that marks a person who is learning to control their natural affinity for the Force. In 28 ABY, the Society of Envoys was closed, replaced with a system of Envoys under the direct control of their respective clans.
A History of the Society
The Society of Envoys has been a part of the Brotherhood for many years. The original society, however, did not resemble the current society, except in its basic structure. As time has gone on, the society has adapted to new roles.
The earliest accounts of the Envoys have been lost, so it is only speculation as to where they actually come from. Some believe that the Society began as a special society for elite warriors. These warriors were the envoys of those who controlled them, whether speaking with words or with their swords. Many cite the full name of the society, the Knights Society of Envoys, as proof of this military function. Furthermore, though the ranks of the society have been renamed over time, the leader of the society has remained as the Knight Commander of the Brotherhood.
What can be said for certain is that the Envoys reemerged from a period of inactivity under the command of Trevarus Caerick. During this time, the Envoys were charged as historians of the Brotherhood, with one Envoy per house in each clan, as well as one Envoy per clan. Despite hard work and the best of intentions, the Envoys as historians ultimately collapsed. For a period of time, the title of Envoy remained merely a title of honor rather than a position of any true meaning. Shortly before Exodus, the Headmaster of the Shadow Academy, Pyralis, presented a new plan for the Society of Envoys. Project: Dark Fury reorganized the Envoys and gave them the mission that they still perform today. The society was placed under the command of the Headmaster (who took the title of Knight Commander) and became part of the Shadow Academy staff. The Envoys adapted well to their new role. During the tenure of Pyralis' successor, Kaiann Yetaru Entar, the Envoys did not undergo any changes and the overall control of the Envoys remained rather loose.
Kaiann's successor was Spears Tarentae. Spears took a more active role with the Envoys, but ultimately handed the position of Knight Commander over to Anshar Kahn Tarentae, his Praetor. Anshar, among other positions in the Brotherhood, had been an Envoy under Trevarus, he had been on the team to create Project: Dark Fury, and he had been a clan level envoy since Dark Fury's implamentation. With Spears maintaining oversight, Anshar set out to make the Envoys more active in the Brotherhood. Envoy reports were instituted, and the Knight Commander made regular reports to the Grand Master and the Headmaster. Envoy challenges, where the clans competed to improve the overall efficiency, were introduced by Anshar, as well as the current ranks of the society. Anshar sought to maintain a careful balance where the Knight Commander, as the Headmaster's representative, retained control over the Envoys, but giving the clans enough latitude to incorporate the envoys into their own systems.
With his appointment as Headmaster, Anshar turned the position of Knight Commander over to Siyavash Kaida.
After a years service to the Envoys, Siyavash turned the position of Knight Commander to her Adjutant Malisane de Ath.
After Malisane stepped down, Anshar reclaimed the position of Knight Commander. He led the Society until the beginning of the Seventh Great Jedi War, at which point the position was handed over to Lucien.
Ranks
Knight Commander of the Brotherhood
The Knight Commander of the Brotherhood was charged with leading the Society and coordinating all Brotherhood wide Envoy activities. The Knight Commander monitored the advancement of new members and the progress they made within a clan. The Knight Commander reported to the Headmaster of the Shadow Academy and the Grand Master. He or she was often a praetor or magistrate to the Headmaster. The Knight Commander was the highest rank that anyone could attain in the Society. There could be only one Knight Commander at any given time and when one retired, a new Knight Commander would be appointed by the Headmaster and the Grand Master.
Knight First Class Envoy
Knight First Class was the highest rank a normal member could obtain with the society. Knight First Class Envoys would have served diligently for some time and would still be active within the society, without becoming the Knight Commander. Knight First Class Envoys could hold any level of Envoy job. The Grand Master held the right to request that the Knight First Class Envoys serve for a limited time on special sections of the Brotherhood (ACC, the RPG, etc) as he deemed fit.
Knight Class Envoy
This was the minimum rank required to serve as a Clan level Envoy. Like the Knight First Class, the Knight Class Envoys could hold any position within the society, although, they wouldn’t have served as long.
Envoy
This was the lowest rank within the society and the minimum rank that was given to those society members representing their Houses. They worked on the house level to help new members learn their way around and get adjusted. Envoys reported to their clan level Envoy, who in turn reported to the KCB.
Free Envoy
Free Envoys were envoys who retired in high standing within the society. Though still within the society, they had no official obligations. They may have served as advisors to the Knight Commander. Should a free envoy have desired to return to the active ranks of the society, they should be restored at their old rank. In order for the title of Free Envoy to be given, the member must have also been at least a Dark Jedi Knight in rank. Also known as an Retired Envoy (RENV).
Assistant Envoys
These were the lowest of all envoys and they were not full members of the society. They were normal members specifically charged with greeting and helping new members. They were under the direction of their House level Envoy. Assistant Envoys served for short periods of time and once this time was up, they may have either sought to join the society or returned to normal membership. This position was optional, may have been used to satisfy any position requirements for advance, and appointment of Assistant Envoys was up to the Clan or House leaders with the approval of the Knight Commander. There was to be no more than one Assistant Envoy per house. In addition, the position could have been rotated, as well. If a regular Envoy went on leave, an assistant Envoy may have filled in for them.