Trials of the Seventy-Five

A great time is upon us, Guardians. Some elected Ones among those known as the [url=http://www.bungie.net/en/Clan/132723]Seventy-Five[/url] will endure as series of trials to either confirm or obtain their status as Administrator. It is a time for them to put their will and strength of character to the test. During these trials, the contenders will learn but small fragment of what it takes to become true leaders, and the skills required to lead. Here are the names of those I've chosen, among the millions of Guardians on our lands, to be part of the Seventy-Five and now, to partake in the Trials of the Seventy-Five: [b]RavenNoir PerfectStrain Jimenez97 SoraTheExplora Samertwist KittyMeow Chih68[/b] I did not know them before they joined our ranks, some time ago. Since then, I have learned to know them by only a small fragment. Even so, I consider them friends, and they are faithful followers of what I have created: this is their gift upon me. Now I return the favor. Once they accept and begin the Trials, they will be known as the Seven. Should they come through successful, they will earn an individual title bestowed by me and be known as such among our Number - and the World. Now, read the following carefully. There will be three Trials total: The Trial of Darkness, the Trial of Light and the Trial of the Burden: [b] The Trial of Darkness: I. "Because of the nature of their position, great leaders oft find themselves in the dark. Either they have been forced upon it, or have forced themselves upon it. During their lives, leaders may not always know or understand how to find the right path, for those they lead or even for themselves. Know this: there is always a guiding voice somewhere: your peers, elders, siblings or teachers. When darkness forces you to become blind, your own thinking is blinded as well. You can only listen to the way towards the Light."[/b] You will spend 7 consecutive days away from Destiny. You will not log into the PSN. You will not come within the Walls of this site, or this forum. When the sun rises tomorrow you will be in temporary exile until these 7 days have passed. In the meanwhile, you will complete the Trial of Light, and come back with what you have learned - and created. [b]The Trial of Light: II. "Darkness becomes calamitous only when unchanged; the same can be said for Light. Ignorance is calamitous only when unchanged, the same can be said for Knowledge. Learn that a great leader seeks change from the Darkness, but also change from the Light."[/b] During your 7 days in exile, you will find a real-life leader whom inspires you, and present him or her to us. To do, so you will transfer this inspiration to the Seventy-Five, by writing a psalm of 75 words exactly. This psalm will become my own inspiration for the namesake I will find for you, so weigh your words carefully -- I will then gather your psalms and collate them here. They will become the Book of the Seventy-Five. The Trial of Sacrifice: [b]III. "Do you wish to know who are the greatest warriors in your army? Those whom you consider your mightiest, strip them of their sharpest swords, replacing them with dull ones; remove their glorious chest pieces, helmets, bracers and greaves, and give them rusty and worn out ones. Then place a golden crown on their heads. Require them to return it only if they come back victorious, under severe penalty should they forget. Send these warriors far away in the midst of battle, and tell them to fight to their utmost competence. Now, you will not see those whom, weaponless, will rally your troops; you will not see those taking blows as they shield their wounded peers from the enemy, wearing only feeble armor; you will not see those who thin the foe's ranks with their dull swords until they resort to fighting with their bleeding hands. Of two outcomes, only one: if you find defeat, few of your warriors will return, and those who do will not bring back your crowns. If you find victory, be wary those who bring back their crowns: they either hid during the battle, searched for a lost crown among bodies of the dead, or killed their mate to steal their crown. Now, know this: By subjecting your men to this test, you will only deceit yourself. You will find those who came back victorious yet cheating to appear obedient, or those who fought greatly but came back crownless and as such, disobedient. The dead will only be numbers, and now useless no matter how brave they have been. Hence, you will not get any answers. Never seek the greatest warrior in your army. In every imperfection each individual may have, you will always find a certain measure of virtue. Cultivating this virtue is the secret to great leadership, and the path towards a great army. Remember this: The greatest warrior in your army, is your army. Raise it so it may always bring you back victory, and victory as one."[/b] After your 7 days, you will each fight a Rumble match in my company, wearing nothing but Green armor and using nothing but Green weapons.You must finish the match with a score above mine, and I will be fully equipped. You will have as many attempts as you wish. You will then destroy a fully upgraded Exotic weapon of my choice, in a gesture of respect and sacrifice towards each member of the Seventy-Five. [b]Should you accept these trials, reply to this message saying "I accept".[/b] For those of you whom haven't been chosen, do not be sad and do not let your faith in our legion falter. Remember: We are One among the many, and we are many in the One. You are the army. You are and always remain the Seventy-Five. Now, go and honor us.