I may never come back, and I just want someone to know.

This article contains text from a former Shadow Academy course. It is no longer in use, and is preserved here for historical purposes only and should not be used/referenced.

ACC Qualification (#113) introduced members to the general principles of the ACC and was required for ACC participation. It was introduced in 2014 alongside the new ACC and written by Aidan Kincaid and Halcyon Rokir. It was retired in November 2022 by Combat Master Idris Adenn and Headmistress Alethia Archenksova due to major changes in the ACC.

Course Notes

Welcome to the ACC Certification exam. This exam will qualify you for ACC matches, allowing you to participate in all general ACC halls, and to participate in ACC-only competitions!

The following exam will be used to demonstrate your understanding of the Antei Combat Center (ACC) and its various rules, guidelines, and practices. The first portion of the exam will feature multiple choice and short answer questions, with the final 2 questions requiring you to write two different ACC Posts of your own. These posts allow the graders (all members of the ACC Judging staff) to make sure you have an adequate understanding with the rules, guidelines, and practices of the ACC to ensure you have the best possible experience when competing.

Please note that the Qualification Exam requires you to have an Approved Character sheet.

Answer the following questions based on information found in the ACC Guidelines

Useful links for the ACC:

Exam

Question 1: What is the difference between an Alternative Ending and a Singular Ending match?

A: An Alternative Ending match has each combatant writing their own version of how a fight concludes. A Singular Ending match has one writer writing the intro alone while the second writer is responsible for the final post alone.

Question 2: What weapons can you list your character using when setting up an Open Challenge match?

A: Weapons that are listed on the character loadout you selected for the match

Question 3: Which weapons do you write an opponent having when participating in an ACC Match?

A: ONLY the weapons listed in the Match Details Snapshot

Question 4: What is the minimum Word Count of a standard ACC post?

A: 250 Words (unless otherwise specified by the Competition Details)

Question 5: What is the maximum Word Count for a standard ACC post?

A: There is no maximum Word Count for an ACC match (Unless otherwise specified by the Competition Details)

Question 6: If a match is set to have 4 posts (2/2), how many posts does each combatant have to write to complete the match?

A: 2

Question 7: [True or False] Armor can protect you from taking damage in the ACC.

A: True: Armor in the ACC can indeed protect you from taking damage in the ACC

Question 8: List the four criteria used in judging an ACC Match

A: Syntax, Story, Realism, Continuity

Question 9: Which of the following would be considered a detractor in “Syntax” in an ACC match?

A: The use of chat speak, such as using “u” instead of “you.”

Question 10: Which of the following would be considered a detractor to “Realism” in an ACC match?

A: Writing a character using Powers or Skills not listed their Character Sheet.

Question 11: [True Or False] Continuing a fight after a character has suffered a lightsaber wound (the loss of a limb or body part ) would be graded as a major detractor in "Realism."

A: True

Question 12: [True Or False] Your Athletics and Stamina are negatively impacted by Encumbrance from Armor.

A: True

Question 13: Which of the following would be considered a detractor to “Story” in an ACC match?

A: Writing a story that is not engaging to the reader or involving conflict.

Question 14: Can you win an ACC match even if your character is defeated within the context of the match’s story?

A: Yes, ultimately the best writer wins regardless of the fictional outcome of the confrontation.

Question 15: Which of the following statements is the correct Syntax for referencing the mystical power that Jedi are famous for using?

A: Harry sprinted forward and used -the Force- to fuel his muscles with augmented speed.

Question 16: Which of the following statements is the correct Syntax when referring to force in regards to physics?

A: Harry slammed into the wall with violent -force- before crumpling bonelessly to the floor.

Question 17: Unless explicitly agreed upon by both combatants prior to the match beginning, the ACC is always written in what point of view and grammatical tense?

A: Third Person, Past Tense

Question 18: [True or False] A lightsaber gives off heat while active.

A: False: the same containment field that gives the blade its length and maintains its shape keeps the heat inside until contact is made.

Question 19: Which of the following is the correct way to write a character using the Force Power: "Telekinesis"?

A: “Harry reached out with the Force to bring his fallen weapon back to his hand.”

Question 20: Which of the following is the correct way to write dialogue when modifying how the dialogue is being delivered?

A: “This is the end of the line, Jedi,” the Sith sneered.

Question 21: Which of the following is the correct way to close a self-contained line of dialogue?

A: “It’s over, Sith. You’ve lost.” The Jedi turned and walked out of the chamber.

Question 22

Q: The following is an ACC Battle between Krin Murphy and Harry West.

Refer to the details below for the Weapon Loadouts.

Match Settings

2/2 Alternative Ending
Force Setting: Standard
Weapon Setting: Standard

Venue

Arx: Combat Training Center

POST 1 (Harry)

The twin doors to the Combat Training Center slid open to reveal a deserted central room. Usually bustling with the grunts and thumps of people sparring; the only sound now was the distant din of the generators powering the temperature-controlled air. Harry West adjusted his duster-style jacket and checked to make sure his weapons were in order: lightsaber on left hip, .48 Enforcer on the right. Content, the half-Chiss tucked his wooden quarterstaff under one arm and strode boldly towards his next challenge as a member of the Brotherhood.

His “trainer” stood in the center of the padded mats set up to the side of the training dummy pit. With a nickname like "The Hammer", Harry had been ready to take on a lumbering, brutish mercenary that took pleasure out of roughing up new recruits. Instead, he was met with a female Human wearing a leather jacket, fatigues, and combat boots. Her chin pointed upwards with confidence and her hands rested on a set of hips that looked more tuned for fighting than display. She wore her hair in a unique style that had one side of her blonde locks buzzed down while the rest remained full and pulled back into a short tail. Her pert nose, while fitting her attractive features well, had been broken at least once.

“Hello miss, I was looking for the Combat Trainer. Someone called, ‘The Hammer'?"

As Harry stepped closer, he could see the spark of challenge glinting in the woman's pale eyes; Krin was clearly well accustomed to recruits underestimating her. The Knight knew that she was the real deal, but something inside of him was struggling with the notion of having to fight a woman. And so, his mouth continued to move on its own accord.

"Sounds a bit melodramatic to me, but maybe you could run and grab him--”

The woman’s grin became almost feral as she took a single, calculated step forward. Before Harry could finish his sentence, she struck the inside of his knee with the toe of her boot, tilting his much larger frame off balance. In the same, sinuous motion she grabbed a hold of his forearm and pulled it towards her as she simultaneously took a short but measured step forward. Gravity took over the rest as Harry rolled right over Krins shoulder and landed on his back against the rubber padding behind her.

Well, I guess I deserved that one.

Brushing his bruised pride aside, Harry rocked back onto his shoulder blades and then sprung back to his feet.

“Something, something, ‘The Hammer’ is my fist. I’m Krin Murphy. You must be Harry West.”

“Guilty,” Harry said with a grin. His right foot slid backward as he staggered his stance and chambered his Quarterstaff under his right arm. He dipped into a crouch to minimize his target area, knowing that his height could actually work against him against someone as skilled as the Combat Trainer.

Murphy returned the smile with one of her own. Her hand moved smoothly to the blaster pistol in her shoulder harness. Just as her hand brushed the butt of the DL-18, she drew it out and fired off a flurry of bolts in a single blur of motion.

POST 2 (Krin)

Krin was quick on the draw, but Harry was ready this time. Extending his free hand forward, the half-Chiss narrowed his focus with the Force and used it to dissolve the pattern of blaster bolts before they could tear him to shreds.

Murphy grunted and let loose another controlled salvo with her blaster as she simultaneously drew her Enforcer pistol. Her eyes narrowed in focus as she depressed the trigger and sent .48 caliber slugs intertwining with blaster bolts. Typically, a barrage of deadly weaponry would unnerve a new trainee. Krin had fought enough Jedi to know that some excelled in using the Force under duress, though. Harry West was apparently one of them.

The Knight didn’t balk or bail against the cadre of bullets and bolts. Instead, he willed the Force into a protective wall in front of him. Crimson dashes and metallic slugs hammered harmlessly into the translucent corona of energy, drawing a smug grin from the Knight.

Krin lifted an eyebrow and let her own smugness creep out. Holstering her Enforcer, she pulled a small cylinder from her belt and lobbed it at Harry’s feet. The concussion grenade detonated smugly as well.

Fortunately, Harry had anticipated the impending danger a half second earlier. The barrier shattered, and the Knight leapt away from the resulting blast with augmented grace through the aid of the Force. He arced through the air in a high parabola and landed behind the trio of training dummies off to the side of the mat.

“Frack, woman! Easy on the duster!”

“—What? Big guy like you is afraid to get his pretty coat dirty? Say it with me: WIMP!” Murphy retorted with a grin as she angled for the dummies Harry was hiding behind. She really liked this one, a perfect balance of brute force and pity play. The last bit was all for show though, and she knew better than to fall for it.

“So you like the coat then? What about tall, blue and handsome scoundrels like me?”

Krin answered with an expertly aimed blaster bolt that could have taken off his ear if she had willed it.

Question 23: Read the first two posts of the ACC Match above between Privateer Krin Murphy and Knight Harry West. With this information, write an Ending Post to this battle from the Point-of-View of Harry West.

There are no partial points awarded for this question - it’s either pass or fail. Because of this, make sure to save your answers on your own hard drive in case you need to edit them and resubmit them to pass.

A:

- Does the member meet the minimum post requirement?

- Does the member adhere to the Character Sheets

- Does the member express an understanding of how to write a Final Post?

- Do you think the member would be able to avoid Major Detractors in an ACC match / not hurt themselves too badly on their own?

- Leave Feedback on Language, Story, Realism, Continuity if you see it.

- Pass / Fail Grade.

Question 24: Provide a link to your character sheet snapshot that will be used for the next question.

To do this, navigate to your administration panel, click on "Possessions and Loadouts", then the "Snapshots" tab, and either create a new snapshot or use an existing one. Click on the ID generated to open the Character Sheet link. Copy and paste the URL below.

A: Valid URL and Loadout

Question 25: Write the opening post to an ACC match between your Character (using the previous snapshot) and either Krin Murphy or Harry West.