The Student/Master relationship is a very unique bond between two KR members. Obviously, you take out of it what you put in. For students looking to become padawans, choosing the right person to help and guide you through may be difficult. This post should help clarify some insecurities or perhaps confusion regarding the whole situation. Here, I'll also cover details for older members and masters/padawans who are struggling.
FOR STUDENTS
1. Importance of Knights as Masters
This is point number one, and always will be. In order to attain the rank of Jedi Guardian, any single member must train a student starting at Padawan all the way to Jedi Knight. If this never happens, the Knight will be stuck at their position until an eligible student comes along. On top of that, ideally we'd like for everyone to have the chance and experience of being a master to a padawan. If the older and more decorated members are taking all the students as Padawans, potential experience (and promotions) could be lost to people who don't have as much to gain. Thus council members will always recommend students to choose from a list of available knights before selecting any non-knight member and approving the request. Knights always come first.
2. Checking Knight Eligibility
It's easy to see what Knights are available to choose from. Simply visit the Roster and check under the heading that says "Jedi Knights." The legend describes how to determine an eligible Knight. If the player's name looks like this: "Name (Duals) (1)", this means they are a Knight specializing in Dual Sabers and have one open Padawan slot. If you don't see a number in parenthesis after a player's name, they don't have an open Padawan slot. You may notice some members have a (2) instead of a (1), this is because with higher ranks comes more responsibility in how many Padawans any member can have at one time. Look for a knight who has a (1) and the same saber type you wish to continue forth with.
3. Choosing A Knight You Don't Know
Say you found a Knight on the list but you've never met this player. As we will always push for Knights to get first pick, sometimes they don't pay attention to what's going on the forums. It's highly encouraged that you simply send this person a private message (through the forums) asking about their availability or perhaps to meet them. Half the battle of healthy master-padawan relationships is getting along well with your potential mentor and instructor for the duration of your time in KR. If you don't get along well or find it hard to connect with one Knight, perhaps talking to another will solve your problem. The moral of the story here is to put yourself out there and get involved with your new clanmates!
4. What to Do If There Aren't Available Knights or Your Options Don't Respond
In this case, it is acceptable to pursue a non-knight member to be your master. This condition is the only one that justifies choosing non-knights, all other variables are disregarded. The point is to give Knights the chance to speak up. If they do not, they are the ones to blame for not speaking up and thus not ranking up! So do not be mislead, it's ultimately the padawan's choice who they want as a master. We as the clan & council cannot force two people together. We want students to feel comfortable upon entering the clan and feel like they can work with people they get along with and have a good time.
FOR STRUGGLING PADAWAN-MASTER RELATIONSHIPS
1. Work It Out
Under most circumstances, we aren't going to separate a master and padawan if it's an issue you can figure out amongst yourselves. The master/padawan relationship is generally something that not even the council interferes with (except in extreme circumstances). Please have respect for this as it's one of the biggest things that makes our clan unique and fun! With that said, in life you are meant to have hardships - you can't simply turn away from an obligation and not expect consequences or some other negative effect. Talk to your master/padawan, understand what is going on, at the very least be a friend. If you feel there is an issue that cannot be solved by normal means of communication, contact the council. Said communication is the most important part of commitment between the two of you.
2. Master/Padawan AFK or Away For Extended Periods
As mentioned above, communication is key. Attempt to contact your master/padawan in any way you can. If you feel this person has no intention of getting back to you, has been absent for several months with no form of contact, or cannot be reached after multiple attempts - talk to the council about the situation.
FOR OLDER MEMBERS (JEDI GUARDIAN AND UP)
1. Don't Pressure Students
You know the rules. Knights get first pick. The only time you should be competing for a Padawan is when there are no liable opportunities for current single-knights to take on a student actively searching for a master. You guys have been around longer and know how to work the system. Please be considerate of Knights who are looking for Padawans. Furthermore, you should not present yourself as an option for a potential Padawan. If someone comes to you asking you to be their master, politely decline and tell them the rules.
2. Don't Scare Away Knights
I think it goes without saying that scaring, bullying, etc. a Knight or other member out of taking a Padawan you'd like to have is very far outside of KR morals. This is a violation of our code, it will not be tolerated under any circumstance. If you feel as if this is happening to you by an older member, please contact the council.
3. Don't Force Knights
Similarly, do not badger or push Knights into taking Padawans. It is on their shoulders to take on this responsibility for themselves. If they do not, it is their loss. Also, keep in mind that ranking up is not a requirement! They may want to stay at Knight; it is up to them.
5. Intimidation & "Right-Away" Acceptance
If a student requests you, then you "accept" right away, what does that look like for a single Knight? It's intimidating to overrule a senior / older member's decision. Clearly this has happened many a time in the past, and is highly frowned upon. Accepting a student's request without even correcting them or helping them find an eligible Knight may rob someone of a promotion and is genuinely pretty selfish. "Accepting a request but waiting for knights to reply" is just as intimidating if not worse. Knights always get first pick. Please be mindful about accepting invitations if there are eligible knights.
FOR STUDENTS
1. Importance of Knights as Masters
This is point number one, and always will be. In order to attain the rank of Jedi Guardian, any single member must train a student starting at Padawan all the way to Jedi Knight. If this never happens, the Knight will be stuck at their position until an eligible student comes along. On top of that, ideally we'd like for everyone to have the chance and experience of being a master to a padawan. If the older and more decorated members are taking all the students as Padawans, potential experience (and promotions) could be lost to people who don't have as much to gain. Thus council members will always recommend students to choose from a list of available knights before selecting any non-knight member and approving the request. Knights always come first.
2. Checking Knight Eligibility
It's easy to see what Knights are available to choose from. Simply visit the Roster and check under the heading that says "Jedi Knights." The legend describes how to determine an eligible Knight. If the player's name looks like this: "Name (Duals) (1)", this means they are a Knight specializing in Dual Sabers and have one open Padawan slot. If you don't see a number in parenthesis after a player's name, they don't have an open Padawan slot. You may notice some members have a (2) instead of a (1), this is because with higher ranks comes more responsibility in how many Padawans any member can have at one time. Look for a knight who has a (1) and the same saber type you wish to continue forth with.
3. Choosing A Knight You Don't Know
Say you found a Knight on the list but you've never met this player. As we will always push for Knights to get first pick, sometimes they don't pay attention to what's going on the forums. It's highly encouraged that you simply send this person a private message (through the forums) asking about their availability or perhaps to meet them. Half the battle of healthy master-padawan relationships is getting along well with your potential mentor and instructor for the duration of your time in KR. If you don't get along well or find it hard to connect with one Knight, perhaps talking to another will solve your problem. The moral of the story here is to put yourself out there and get involved with your new clanmates!
4. What to Do If There Aren't Available Knights or Your Options Don't Respond
In this case, it is acceptable to pursue a non-knight member to be your master. This condition is the only one that justifies choosing non-knights, all other variables are disregarded. The point is to give Knights the chance to speak up. If they do not, they are the ones to blame for not speaking up and thus not ranking up! So do not be mislead, it's ultimately the padawan's choice who they want as a master. We as the clan & council cannot force two people together. We want students to feel comfortable upon entering the clan and feel like they can work with people they get along with and have a good time.
FOR STRUGGLING PADAWAN-MASTER RELATIONSHIPS
1. Work It Out
Under most circumstances, we aren't going to separate a master and padawan if it's an issue you can figure out amongst yourselves. The master/padawan relationship is generally something that not even the council interferes with (except in extreme circumstances). Please have respect for this as it's one of the biggest things that makes our clan unique and fun! With that said, in life you are meant to have hardships - you can't simply turn away from an obligation and not expect consequences or some other negative effect. Talk to your master/padawan, understand what is going on, at the very least be a friend. If you feel there is an issue that cannot be solved by normal means of communication, contact the council. Said communication is the most important part of commitment between the two of you.
2. Master/Padawan AFK or Away For Extended Periods
As mentioned above, communication is key. Attempt to contact your master/padawan in any way you can. If you feel this person has no intention of getting back to you, has been absent for several months with no form of contact, or cannot be reached after multiple attempts - talk to the council about the situation.
FOR OLDER MEMBERS (JEDI GUARDIAN AND UP)
1. Don't Pressure Students
You know the rules. Knights get first pick. The only time you should be competing for a Padawan is when there are no liable opportunities for current single-knights to take on a student actively searching for a master. You guys have been around longer and know how to work the system. Please be considerate of Knights who are looking for Padawans. Furthermore, you should not present yourself as an option for a potential Padawan. If someone comes to you asking you to be their master, politely decline and tell them the rules.
2. Don't Scare Away Knights
I think it goes without saying that scaring, bullying, etc. a Knight or other member out of taking a Padawan you'd like to have is very far outside of KR morals. This is a violation of our code, it will not be tolerated under any circumstance. If you feel as if this is happening to you by an older member, please contact the council.
3. Don't Force Knights
Similarly, do not badger or push Knights into taking Padawans. It is on their shoulders to take on this responsibility for themselves. If they do not, it is their loss. Also, keep in mind that ranking up is not a requirement! They may want to stay at Knight; it is up to them.
5. Intimidation & "Right-Away" Acceptance
If a student requests you, then you "accept" right away, what does that look like for a single Knight? It's intimidating to overrule a senior / older member's decision. Clearly this has happened many a time in the past, and is highly frowned upon. Accepting a student's request without even correcting them or helping them find an eligible Knight may rob someone of a promotion and is genuinely pretty selfish. "Accepting a request but waiting for knights to reply" is just as intimidating if not worse. Knights always get first pick. Please be mindful about accepting invitations if there are eligible knights.
