Can the
average character afford a runner? (They're expensive.) How long does it take
to travel from Honshu Weyr to Southern Hold by foot? (It's a very dangerous
trip. About 10.5 sevendays.) Will the Weyrleaders approve of those six golden
earrings in your left ear lobe? (No, metal is very rare on Pern, and multiple
piercings dangerous.) One of the very first things a new player is required
to do upon logging in to SouCon is to read what is and is not canonical for
the world of Pern. These rules play an integral part in ensuring that we all
feel we're playing in the same world.
This policy
section is under development and will more than likely be modified in the
future, so check back frequently for updates. SouCon is a place where we attempt
to recreate Anne McCaffrey's World of Pern as closely as possible. However,
a few things are different than in the books, this makes the game more playable
and consistent. Area leaders are generally experts in their fields, and if
you do have a question they would be happy to answer it. Please be sure to
read the entirety of this file. It is important!
If you have any questions, the Wizards are the final authority on what is
or is not canon on SouCon. If there is something you think is canon that should
not be canon or vice versa, please +mail the Wizards.
Age
Within Pernese
society individuals are considered to be young adults at the age of thirteen.
This is when they are expected to make decisions about what to do with their
lives, and while it’s not unusual to continue taking Harper lessons and
studying, most do not. They also may marry considerably younger than is acceptable
to our current society.
Pernese
generally live well into their eightieth decade. Occasionally someone will
live until one hundred Turns of age, but it is unusual. As a consequence,
most Pernese retire from active duty, whether Craft, Hold or Weyr, around
sixty-five or seventy Turns of age. Generally the principal Holders maintain
their position until death, but they may step down for health or other reasons.
Senior Weyrwomen,
whose rank is linked to the sexual reproduction of their dragon, are asked
to retire when the character is between 55-60. Likewise Junior Weyrwomen should
also retire when their character falls within that age range.
Animals
Felines
(cats) and Canines (dogs) are the most common animals on Pern, they are no
more clever than they are on Earth today. Runnerbeasts (similar to horses)
are reasonably common, though a good runner, and especially the thoroughbreds,
are expensive, and not available for the general population. ICly, we have
managed to stop the invasion of Ferrets from the North Continent to the South,
and OOCly we do not allow Ferrets at all on SouCon.
Areas
A number
of Holds and Weyrs exist on SouCon that did not exist in the books. For
a full listing of these, please look at '+mapindex' and NEWS
WEYR COVERAGE. Additionally, please note no ranking NPCs are allowed
in backgrounds without prior approval of the appropriate council. Please
see NEWS NPCS
for more details.
In the
past Eastern Weyr was an open Roleplaying area on SouCon. However, SouCon
has been requested to not utilize Eastern Weyr in any shape or form. Players
who have this information in backgrounds or in NPCs will be asked to change
the information to Southern Barrier Weyr (what was previously Eastern Weyr
on SouCon), or Monaco Weyr (Eastern Weyr in the books).
Likewise,
backgrounds that include Benden Weyr or Ruatha Hold should not be used as
per Ms. McCaffreys request.
Clothing
Although
Pernese clothing is considered medieval in appearance by many it has a few
distinctive differences. Silk does not exist on Pern, in any shape or form,
and it’s unlikely any has survived from Landing. However, sisal is
similar in appearance and texture to this material.
Many Pernese
clothe themselves in leather goods, particularly Dragonriders. It is not
unusual to see them wearing leather trousers, jackets, helmets and boots
should the weather permit. A common cloth, similar to denim but not the
identical, is made for working clothes. Woolen sweaters are common in the
colder areas, as are fur-lined cloth garments.
There
are no zippers. Instead clothing items close with button flaps, drawstrings
or a two-sided substance like Velcro.
There
no kilts on Pern, no confederate style shirts, cheerleader uniforms or similar
kinds of clothing that are found in modern society.
Dragons
Pernese
Dragons can only be the following colors, any other color will not be allowed:
Gold, Bronze, Brown, Blue and Green. Because of Dragon blood, ichor, some
colors do not exist, for example silver. Red and black are rare, and should
be used only as *highlights*. Also note that Anne has determined there will
be no other white Dragons and no white *in* Dragon descriptions. Additionally,
gray and pale colors are a sign of old age and ill health.
No Dragon
would dream of disobeying the senior queen, and a gold will only follow
a bronze during Threadfall. At all other times, the golds are the 'ranking'
Dragons, followed by Bronze, then Brown, Blue and finally Green.
Green
Dragons rise to mate approximately once a month once they reach maturity
at the age of 1 turn 6 months. They do not have clutches. Gold Dragons rise
approximately two times a turn from the age of three turns. Gold eggs result
only from a gold-bronze pairing.
When Anne
first conceptualized dragons she misunderstood the conversion between a
foot and a meter. To correct this imbalance, and yet keep the standard measurements
that everyone knows about the same i.e. 20-25 for a green, 25-30 for a blue
etc., we have renamed the unit of measurement to a 'dragonfoot', which is
approximately two standard feet. This takes into consideration all terms
of measurement in the books such as the height of Ramoth's eye being that
of Lessa's height. Please see the Webpage
for more comparisons.
The ability
to hear all Dragons is an ability the Wizards believe is rare. If you wish
to play a character with this ability, you need to send +mail to both the
Wizards and Weyr Council, asking for permission, and outlining your character
background. Permission is, however, unlikely.
Dyes
Dyes and
paints are made by the WeaverCraft, and are extracted from natural plants,
shellfish, minerals and stones, found on Pern. Their primary purpose of course
is to dye threads or fabric, but a collaboration project with the HealerCraft
has found that one of them can be used to dye hair. This plant, which for
want of a better name, is called Henna, and has the same effects as the Terran
Henna in that it will color gray and blonde hair easily, and will add some
gloss and a slight color change to brunettes. It does not have any effect
on those with black hair. It is expensive, and as such is generally restricted
to Lady Holders who wish to retain a youthful look.
Other color
dyes that the WeaverCraft produce are not recommended for bodily use, because
some severe reactions to the dye can result and again, they are expensive.
However, if used, please bear in mind the following:
Dyes react with the sun,
and therefore unexpected and often drastic results can become evident, such
as hair falling out, breaking off, etc. Your skin, especially your hands,
will also be tinted by whatever dye you use, but again it will wash out in
a few days. The sun(s) do provide a minor bleaching effect, however, in hair
it may lighten it a shade only, it will also fade clothing, but not to the
point of whiteness. On Earth, bones take decades to become pure white in the
sun.
It is important to remember
that the Pernese do not believe in tattoos, and so the concept of using dyes
for this purpose will never appeal to them.
Additionally,
it is impossible to dye a Dragon's hide. The hide is impervious to all but
a few substances, such as Numbweed. Furthermore, there would never be enough
paint available to cover a Dragon's hide.
Food coloring/dye
does NOT exist on Pern.
Fellis
Fellis
is an extremely strong drug, and as such should always be used with caution.
It is *not* used for minor injuries and aches or in any situation where
a lesser remedy is sufficient. Fellis juice is *extremely* addictive, and
its chronic use should be limited to terminally ill patients. Only Headwomen,
Healer Journeymen and Masters, Holders, Weyrwomen, and CraftMasters, have
the key to Fellis containing cabinets, and only those people are authorized
to administer it.
Firelizards
Firelizards
are not incredibly intelligent. They do what is asked, if they feel like
it, and respond mainly to emotions. They cannot think in words, nor in concepts.
They can, and do flame, if they have ingested firestone, but would be unlikely
to be able to protect a Hold, or even a traveling wagon, from Thread. All
Firelizards can rise to mate from the age of one turn. Green Firelizards
cannot clutch a gold. Gold Firelizards flown by a brown cannot clutch a
gold.
Firelizard
numbers are restricted on SouCon MUSH. Furthermore, we have a tracking database
('+help fl' for more information) that allows players to see which Firelizard
belongs to whom.
For more
information on Firelizards see NEWS FIRELIZARD
and NEWS FIRELIZARD CLUTCHES.
Health
Due to
the level of genetic engineering that was available to the colonists, all
genetic defects were eradicated. While it may be possible for such defects
to have been re-introduced over time, please clear with the Wizards any
background that may include such defects (for example: deaf, mute, blind,
MS and cerebral palsy.). Characters who wish to be disabled as a result
of a traumatic injury may do so without permission. Do be aware though that
such illnesses will exclude you from search, and may influence where you
live, i.e. it would be rare for a blind person to live in a dangerous place
like a Weyr, Smithy etc. Serious injuries should be cleared through the
Wizards.
Twins
are considered rare on Pern, and are hardly ever born healthy. Twins require
constant healer supervision and treatment through their initial months,
generally due to our level of medical technology in comparison with their
birth weights. Characters seeking to give birth to twins need to seek the
approval of a Master Healer or the Wizards. Triplets are not permitted on
SouCon MUSH, with the following caveat: a minimum of one child will be lost
if a character chooses to give birth to triplets, quite possibly two. This
number and approval of such are at a Master Healer and Wizards discretion.
The disease
(see NEWS DISEASE) hit approximately
11 Turns ago (Turn 190 of the Interval) and rampaged for about a Turn. Therefore,
if your Character is over this age you would've been alive when the disease
hit.
Having
the disease and surviving was a rare occurrence. If you had the disease
and survived you would've undergone numerous tests from the Healers, including
having blood extracted for vaccination testing. Characters who wish to Roleplay
having had the disease need to have this background approved by the Wizards.
Overall,
including those who did not seem to suffer from Nemar's Disease, survival
was optimum during the teenage Turns. Survival of characters younger than
ten or older than thirty rare, particularly in those who contracted the
disease.
Honorifics
Only male
riders may use an honorific, ie Niall would become N'all. Female riders
may not use honorifics or contractions of their names with or without the
apostrophe. They may, however, choose to abbreviate their names. For example,
Marissa would become Mari. Maria would be unacceptable.
It is
up to the individual Weyrs whether or not female candidates +mail the Weyrleaders
to inform them of a desired name change should they Impress. It is strongly
encouraged they do so, however. In order to enforce this, a Wizard may question
a rider if she or he feels the their name change doesn't follow the guidelines
of game canon. It is not the changing of the name that raises a concern,
it is the timing. The Wizards of this game feel the rider chooses the name,
not the Dragon.
Piercings
Due to
the lack of sanitary conditions on Pern body piercings are not possible
and are not canon on this game (there is no rubbing alcohol). The only piercings
that are allowed are ear piercings. Multiple piercings on the same ear are
not possible due to the danger involved in piercing areas of the ear other
than the lobes themselves. The overall level of vanity of the Pernese people
is expressed in clothing and not something as frivolous as body piercings,
especially given the rarity of metals. If you do have body piercings in
your description, you will be asked to remove the description item, no scars
from the piercing will be allowed should such a request be made.
Rank
Rank is
an integrated part of Pernese society. Very few people would argue with
a Lord & Lady Holder; Weyrleader & Weyrwoman; CraftMaster & CraftSecond,
and most would follow orders from any one of them. In their individual areas,
familiarity might breed a more relaxed atmosphere, but on entering a new
area you should not assume this. When Roleplaying with persons of rank be
aware that being insolent and disrespectful, unless you have already otherwise
agreed OOCly with them, will get you IC actions that are not always favorable.
Treat them with respect. Saying 'you have to *earn* my respect' is completely
OOC since the Pernese are raised from birth to respect rank.
Riders
Female
riders, of any other color but gold, are rare in the books. We have chosen
however to extend this to allow females to impress any color but bronze.
Brown and blue impressions are, though, rare. For more information see NEWS
WEYR MISC. Males are allowed to impress any color but gold. Gold and
bronze riders are strictly heterosexual. The only circumstance this may
be altered is in flights where the riders have no say, and the Dragons drive
the emotions.
Swords
Metals
are rare on Pern, and the populace is governed in such a way that they must
cooperative in order to survive. Therefore, physical confrontations of a
large scale are rare, and generally the only weapon most people carry is
a belt-knife, used primarily for eating. Holds do have a limited supply
of heavier weapons, such as swords, but these are generally kept under lock
and key, used only on state occasions. Guards tend, therefore, to be burly,
and deal with any problems with sheer physical mass.
Travel
Travel
on the Southern Continent is not comparable at all to travel in RL. There
are a number of dangers to consider. The first is Thread, which will eat
through anything organic. The second is the jungle: it grows exceptionally
fast and often overgrows the few trails that are cut. Thirdly, there is
the matter of wild felines, which are known to attack humans or animals
if alone. Finally, the seas are not easy sailing and are often left to those
with sailing experience.
For approximate
times to travel to various places, please see NEWS
TRAVEL.
No dye will produce black hair, or will color black hair.