Character Approval Information

[Masterharper]

So You Want to Make a Character

If you're interested in role-playing in our community we ask that you fill out a character sheet. This is for all RPed characters, regardless if they have art to go with them or not. You must fill out the appropriate form so we can make sure your character works with our Pern canon and doesn't break any rules. If your character isn't approved or needs some work we'll let you know what to change. Don't take it as your character concept not being welcome, we just need to get it to fit, and that might requires some changing. Don't get too attached to your character until it's approved, since you might have to make some major shop changes. Once approved, we'll change the title, and post approval at the top of your form. When that happens you'll be able to actively RP your character in our shop.
 

[Masterharper]

Rules and Restrictions

We understand you're hankering to dive right on into all the fun, but hold your runners, beastcrafter. There are some things you need to keep in mind when developing your character, and some restrictions we've placed on our shop!

General Rules

• Please don't raise a fuss or fight us if staff requests you tweak a character. Listen to your RP Managers. If they call you out on something, listen to them and fix it. This is your only warning.
  
  
• Follow the Gaia ToS.
  
  
• Keep characters and their histories/stories within the PG-13 limit!
  
  
• Do not godmode other people's characters or actions.
  
  
• Do not metagame and assume your character or your actions are going to change the world.
  
  
• Dragons are not RP required, but you must have obtained art to make a rider.
  
  
• One character per form.
  
  
• Do not make cosplays -- all characters here must be originals.
  
  
• Do not use copyrighted or franchised material to represent your characters. We're not a shop that uses play-bys, so please keep your character unique
  .
  
• If you or your character becomes inactive, staff reserves the right to NPC
  them and ship them to an NPC Weyr. Should you return, they can resume their activity.
  
  
• Your characters must be human/Pernese. Take your magical, winged, space-aliens to a different shop.
  
  
• Your characters must look human in appearance. Skin tone, hair color, and eye color should all match what's found on earth humans. We will allow silver, violet, and golden eye colors but those are the only exception.
  
  
• Character names should be Pernese. Terran/Earth names aren't allowed. If you want to make a earth name add some extra letters so it doesn't look like it i.e Catherine to Qathryn, or Khathreen, or Damon to Dhamun, etc. Please, though, don't make names unpronounceable. Pern names (including dragons) tend to have a mix of vowels and consonants. i.e. Menolly, Lessa, Felessen, Manora, Ramoth, Monarth, Prideth, Brekke, Robinton, Canth, Golanth, Faranth, Carenath, Orlith, Moreta, etc. Try to find a balance between being too Terran like, and random letters thrown together.
  
  A lot of weyrfolk, in particular, name their children with names that would make a good honorific. This isn't a rule, but is canon to the books.
  
  
• Try to avoid making dragon names based off specific themes. There are ample Pern dragon name generators out there, and we would prefer things be random/obscure. The reason we ask to avoid themed names is because we connect themes to hatchlings, and the risk of grabbing a duplicate name increases the more "thematic" names are used. Themed names should go only to PC Hatchlings or NPC Hatchling contests! If you do use a themed name, we have the right to also use that name if we need it for a Hatchling. Additionally, if you base a dragon off a theme, please don't rip it direclty from a god or goddesses name or religion. You may use those names if you change them or add to them, but we also have the right to request you change the name entirely, or adjust it further.
  

RP Rules

• Your character must be approved before you are able to RP.
  
  
• Once approved, your character should follow their personality and history. While we understand personal growth and meta-plot might take its toll on their personality and lifestyle, your character can't suddenly become an entirely new person when you RP them.
  
  
• Should your character Impress, we ask you also do not deviate from your dragons noted personality. If you desire a particular personality for a dragon, wait for customs to open so you'll have full control.
  
  
• We will lock the individual threads once a character is approved. The approval sheets will be used to base Impressions but aren't a place where you should log pets and every change that happens to them. Make a journal to log all that growth and change. If your character changes and evolves so much that it might affect their chances of Impressing, you'll need to PM Masterharper to request an unlock and a re-approval of a character.
  
• You must have obtained finished dragon art before you can make a dragonrider character.
  
  
• Dragons will not naturally harm, kill, maim, or torture humans. While our Pern dragons might threaten a human, accidentally or inadvertent kill a human, and we may even release some dragons that are more feral than their predecessors, please keep this in mind when writing your application and RPing.
  
  
• Your character cannot Hear All Dragons. There are no HADs in this world at this time.
  
  
• Stealing a dragon's egg is not allowed and a heinous crime. It's also mostly impossible as even a gold with a dead rider will protect her clutch until the day of its Hatching. It may have happened once in the books, but in EoP it's not allowed unless it shows up as a metaplot arc. Flit eggs can be stolen, and even the rare wher egg, but dragon eggs not at all.
  
  
• Should your dragon have a history where they were maimed and mauled Candidates on the Sands, or even killed a Candidate, please know that the Weyr would not treat them differently. Dragon deaths and maulings as hatchlings are common, if tragic. If the character Impressed somewhere that did not have weyrling training or decent training then that might be an exception. High Reaches, Southern, and Western all know about this and have their Candidates and Weyrlings trained accordingly.
  
  

Application Tips & Tricks:

• Your character cannot be related to or have connections with any ranking persona! This includes Weyrleaders/Weyrwomen/Craft Masters/Major Lord Holders etc. This includes NPC Weyrs, Holds, and Halls. We may give these characters out as PCs, and if we do, it is then up to the new writer to allow folks to make friends, children, family, lovers, exes, etc.
  
  
• Your character cannot hold a ranking position unless you've won them in a contest.
  
  
• Make your character an individual, but don't make special snowflakes. Your character shouldn't be perfect and should have flaws.
  
  
• If you're making a Candidate, please remember that dragons take a lot of work. Your character won't be Searched if your character wouldn't be able to bond with it or handle the responsibilities of dragonriding. This is Pern, not Earth, and on this planet not everybody winds up a winner or with a consolation prize. Keep in mind that just because you make them a Candidate doesn't mean they're going to Impress and not all Candidates or Standidates will be allowed if they wouldn't work as a weyrling.
  
  
• Keep to Pernese naming conventions. This means if it's a common earth name, or a known franchise name, it's probably not going to pass. The Pernese don't have middle- or surnames. Additionally, only dragons name can end in -th and wher names end in -sk.
  
  
  
• Please post WIP if your character isn't finished and ready for critique. Otherwise it might get critiqued too early.
  

If you're not familiar with the Dragonrider of Pern books by Anne McCaffery, we ask that you read our information guides fully so you have a better understnading of how the world works. If you're still lost, please ask questions in the thread or PM Uta to have your questions answered!
 

[Masterharper]

Ranks & Availability

Before you go off and make a character, please keep the following in mind!

Dragonriders & Weyrfolk:

• You cannot make a dragonrider without having obtained dragon art! The only exception is if you're transferring a dragon from an old B/C shop or are waiting on a custom / starter pack to be designed. Then you may make the character while you wait for the art.
  
• You cannot have a character bond with a firelizard or wher without art!
  
• If you make someone dragonless, please write them accordingly. It is an incredibly life-altering situation and shouldn't be taken on lightly or used as an angst gimmick. Most dragonriders die without their dragons -- Brekke and Lytol were the exception's not the rule.
  
• Dragonriders who are not part of a Weyr will not be normally allowed to participate in fighting Thread. Firestone is going right to the Weyrs of Pern. If you absolutely want your non-affiliated group to fight Thread in some fashion, you must PM Masterharper to discuss options.
  
• You absolutely cannot have your character be connected to anyone of Rank in ANY Weyr (NPC or otherwise). The only exception is when such ranking persona's are contested away to be written by a player or connections to a ranking persona are contested away.
  
• New! When making Assistant Candidatemasters or Assistant Weyrlingmasters, please make them age appropriate. The Weyrs aren't likely aren't going to accept anyone and they will likely need to wait for an opening or hiring opportunity ICly. Additionally, the roles are usually given to individuals who are older and who have proven to be responsible and trustworthy--so newly graduated weyrlings might need a few Turns before they're tapped, though there might be some exceptions.
  
• New Searchriders and Watch-Riders are nothing more than alternative Wingrider Ranks. Search and Watch-Riders are above all else a Wingrider to the Weyr and their ranks aren't higher or lower than those who aren't Search-sensitive or put on Watch duty.
  
  Searchriders must have a dragon that is Search Sensitive. This means that they are known to Search Candidates, and from time to time will be asked to go on Search. When an official Search is not called they act as wingriders. Searching does not happen 24/7 so these riders will still do sweeps, still do drills, and still fight Thread.
  
  Watch-Riders are assigned to keep watch during various shifts at either the Weyr or some of the Holds (Major and Minor). They are still part of a Wing and still do drills and sweeps when they're not actively on watch duty. Watch-Riders just generally greet incoming and outgoing dragons, but also take note of ALL who enter and leave the area. They're meant to send warning back to the Hold or back to the Weyr if something strange or bad goes down.
  
  Shifts happen in six to eight hour stints, and will rotate with other watch-riders. They return to the Weyr once their shift is through and likely report to their Wingleader. Sometimes there are more than one assigned watch-rider depending on the areas need.
  
  
• New Unaffiliated/Weyrless Riders can only have happened before Threadfall returned. Now that Thread is back, Pern needs its riders back in Weyrs! Candidates know that if they choose to stand for Impression they are bound to the Weyrs for at least 5 Turns, if not longer, once they graduate. They aren't allowed to just go where they please, when they please. That lifestyle is now over and the Candidates agree to it, else they do not get to stand.
  
  
• New Western Weyr goldriders have no title unless they are elected to a ranking position such as Wingleader, Weyrwoman Second, or Weyrwoman. If you are a goldrider at Western, you are simply a wingrider or one of the open positions below.
  
  High Reaches Weyr goldriders will be dubbed a Junior weyrwoman, but they have no real rank besides what being a goldrider affords. They are effectively gold wingriders but as it's High Reaches, they are usually more respected and can throw that around a bit more than if they were at Western. The lack of capital w is important in this rank/title.
  
  Open Positions:
  Wingriders***
  Junior weyrwoman***: Must be an active goldrider at High Reaches Weyr. They have no real rank besides what being a goldrider affords.
  Searchriders***
  Watch-Riders***
  Retired Wingriders***
  Lower Caverns Worker
  Cooks / Kitchen Worker
  Drudges
  Candidates
  Weyrbrats
  Crafters
  Assistant Candidatemasters
  Assistant Weyrlingasters***
  Unaffiliated -- Those who have left the Weyr before Thread returned.
  Weyrless -- Those who have left the Weyr before Thread returned.
  
  Candidates:
  
• The age limits for Candidates are 14 to 26 at High Reaches, but extend up to 30 turns for Western. OOCly, we will allow High Reaches standidates up to age 30 as well.
  
• Candidates are not guaranteed to Impress, and every passing year they will age accordingly, whether you were there to RP them or not.
  
• Candidates who age out at High Reaches cannot transfer to Western Weyr to continue their Candidacy. They will not be accepted.
  
• Candidates will stay at their chosen Weyr until they Impress, age out, or quit. In the books some were allowed to return to their Hold, Hall,or Craft between clutches, but in our shop, it's simply easier to keep them in one place.
  
• Please read the Candidate Guide to make sure you understand how they are to behave.
  
• You may ask for someone to officially Search your character ICly. Otherwise, it will be assumed to have happened.
  
• Your Candidate must be of sound-mind and good health to become a Candidate. Someone who cannot form an empathic bond with another, or is too sick to care for the demands of a dragon, would not be sought out. If we feel your character wouldn't be eligible, we will let you know and then you can adjust them or have them pursue another avenue.
  
• Native Weyrbrats are the only ones who do not have to be Searched to become a Candidate. They are automatically ensured the right to become a Candidate once they are of age should they wish to stand.
  
• All Candidates are treated the same, regardless of their past origin. A Holder's heir would be treated the same as a Holdless trader, and both expected to do the same work.
  
• With Thread's return, any Candidate who Impress will not be able to leave the Weyr as in they old days. Their job is now to stay, train, and fight Thread for the good of Pern. This is not optional or negotiable. It is what they are agreeing to do for the shot at Impressing.
  
• Pets are not allowed. The only exception to this are firelizards, who are allowed due to the nature and dependency of the bond. All firelizards must be well trained, otherwise the Candidatemaster will likely make sure you learn how to handle them appropriately. An overly troublesome firelizard could very well cause a Candidate to be expelled.
  
  
  Holders & Holdfolk:
  
• You cannot make a Major Lord Holder or have your character be connected to them in any way or fashion. This is for ANY Major Hold, NPC or otherwise. The only exception is when such ranking persona's are contested away to be written by a player or connections to a ranking persona are contested away.
  
• You can make a Minor Lord Holder of your own creation, a Minor Weyrhold, or a Cotholder.
  
  Open Positions
  Minor Lord Holder & Family
  Cotholder & Family
  Steward
  Headwoman/Headman
  Cooks / Kitchen Worker
  Aunties
  Uncles
  Holdbrats
  Drudges
  Guard
  Wherhandler***
  Crafters
  
  
  
  Crafters:
  
• You cannot make The Master Crafter (i.e. The Masterharper of Pern) or have your character be connected to them in any way or fashion. The only exception is when such ranking persona's are contested away to be written by a player or connections to a ranking persona are contested away.
  
• Some crafts take longer to advance the ranks, or require specialized skills. Savants and prodegies are not going to be approved.
  
  Apprentices: 10 to 21 Turns is standard. Depending on the difficulty of the craft, the individual's skill, and where they were taught they might find it takes longer to walk the tables. There is no age maximum on who can become an Apprentice
  
  Many get labeled into a junior or senior apprenticeship role, based on skill.
  
  Journeymen: They must be at last 20 turns, minimum, if not older. For many on Pern this is as far as they'll advance their skills. Not everyone goes on to become a Master. That said, there is no age maximum on who can become a Journeyman.
  
  Masters: Must be 50 turns, minimum. No exceptions. If you want to make a master this is the youngest they get to be, and they certainly better know their stuff.
  
  Please see our Crafters thread so you can decide on what your character wishes to study!
  
  Other Pernese Occupations
  
• If you write an Exiled persona, the will be branded on their forehead/face for all Pern to know of their punishment. This is a brand of corporal punishment. Those who are exiled are often turned away from Weyrs, Holds and Halls, and are often isolated. These men and women have it very rough, even in our shop setting.
  
  Open Positions:
  Courtesans
  Fighters
  Mercenaries
  Pirates
  Thieves
  Beggers
  Impoverished
  Fire-Lizard Breeders***
  Wher Breeders***
  Feline Handlers
  Gamester
  Traders
  Holdless
  Exiles
  
  

*** Must have completed art!
 

[Masterharper]

Application Time

If you're still interested in making a character, this is the place to be! Post it in this guild and we'll look it over.

Candidates

[b]Name:[/b]
[b]Age:[/b]
[b]Nameday:[/b] YYYY.MM.DD i.e. 3560.03.18 [Please note that Pern has 13 months and each month has 28 days.]
[b]Sex:[/b]
[b]Sexual Orientation:[/b]
[b]Craft:[/b] If applicable.
[b]Rank:[/b]
[b]Location:[/b] Which Hold, Hall, or Weyr are they at?
[b]Physical Description:[/b]
[b]Personality: [/b]
[b]Positive Trait List[/b] [At least 3. Just spell out what they are and it should follow your written personality i.e. cheerful, loyal, confident]
[b]Negative Trait List[/b] [At least 3. Just spell out what they are and it should follow your written personality i.e. insecure, selfish, anxious]
[b]History:[/b]
[b]Other:[/b] Anything else you want to add?

Candidate Specific Questions
[b]Do you want them to have an official Search RP?[/b] Yes or No
[b]Do you understand they will age every passing year regardless if you're there to RP the or not?[/b] Yes or No
[b]Do you want them to have a possible Stands Impression?[/b] Yes or No
- - - > Please keep in mind that Stands Impressions are very rare. This means that not everybody will get an opportunity to have a surprise Impression, and you lower your chances of being picked by a dragonet. Given the character is not ICly an official Candidate, they will need a reason to be at the Weyr of their choice long-term, or at least for every Hatching.

Riders

[b]Name:[/b] In High Reaches men are given honorifics -- but not female riders. In Western Weyr, they're less restrictive about names.
[b]Age:[/b]
[b]Nameday:[/b] YYYY.MM.DD i.e. 3560.03.18 [Please note that Pern has 13 months and each month has 28 days.]
[b]Sex:[/b]
[b]Sexual Orientation:[/b]
[b]Weyr:[/b] High Reaches Weyr, Western Weyr, or Other
[b]Rider Rank:[/b]
[b]Previous Rank/Craft:[/b] If applicable.
[b]Physical Description:[/b]
[b]Personality: [/b]
[b]Positive Trait List[/b] [At least 3. Just spell out what they are and it should follow your written personality i.e. cheerful, loyal, confident]
[b]Negative Trait List[/b] [At least 3. Just spell out what they are and it should follow your written personality i.e. insecure, selfish, anxious]
[b]History:[/b]
[b]Other:[/b] Anything else you want to add?

DRAGON
[b]Name:[/b] Must end int -th. No exceptions!
[b]Age:[/b]
[b]Color:[/b]
[b]Size:[/b] Please select actual length appropriate to their color and our size chart.
[b]Physical Description:[/b]
[b]Personality: [/b]
[b]Dragon Art or Proof of Obtainment:[/b] This could be the cert, the thumbnail uncert, or proof on where you transferred them, or won them, etc.

Holders/Crafters/Other

[b]Name:[/b]
[b]Age:[/b]
[b]Nameday:[/b] YYYY.MM.DD i.e. 3560.03.18 [Please note that Pern has 13 months and each month has 28 days.]
[b]Sex:[/b]
[b]Sexual Orientation:[/b]
[b]Craft:[/b] If applicable.
[b]Rank:[/b]
[b]Location:[/b]
[b]Physical Description:[/b]
[b]Personality: [/b]
[b]Positive Trait List[/b] [At least 3. Just spell out what they are and it should follow your written personality i.e. cheerful, loyal, confident]
[b]Negative Trait List[/b] [At least 3. Just spell out what they are and it should follow your written personality i.e. insecure, selfish, anxious]
[b]History:[/b]
[b]Other:[/b] Anything else you want to add?