Knots

Rank is an important element of daily interactions on Pern. Knots are complex cord braidings which denote the ranks of many different Pernese. They're useful in avoiding serious social errors. Once glance at another's knot, and a well-trained Pernese will know number of useful things about the position the other occupies in society.

Getting a knot

Knots can be gotten by becoming a member of a Hold, Craft, or Weyr on Soucon. These are symbols of where you belong in our Pernese society. But MUSH-wise, they are also very useful tools since they give you access to the relevant online chat lines that are not accessible in any other way. Contact your Hold/Craft/Weyr heads about getting a knot.

Knot Color Standards

Where possible, we base our colors on the references within the 'The Dragonlover's Guide to Pern'.

Demonstration of Rank

HOLDERS
Holders indicate their Hold with a round badge showing the heraldry or with a shoulder knot of the appropriate colors. Lord/Lady Holders, and the Holder's also wear a thread to show whether it is a major or minor Hold (gold for major, silver for minor).

CRAFTERS
Crafters show rank with shoulder cords in craft colors, complexity increasing with rank. A round badge may also be worn to show the craft affiliation.

Apprentice:		One loop under the arm, string with one knot at end.
Journeyman:		One loop under the arm, with a knot in the top, two small strings with quatrefoil knots at end.
Master:		One loop under the arm, one over, two small strings.
Craftsecond:		One loop under the arm, two small strings, bound at the top.
Craftmaster:		Two loops over the arm, one under, two small strings, bound at the top.

RIDERS
Riders show rank by design and complexity of shoulder knots, which represent both Weyr and the color of their dragon. They may also wear a badge with a dragon of appropriate color on a background of the Weyr colors, and a badge indicating their Wing affiliation. Staff members wear a simple cord in Weyr colors, unless indicated otherwise in area +lhelp files. Candidates wear a resident knot, with a single thread of white.

Resident:		One loop under the arm, string with two knots.
Weyrling:		One loop under the arm, string, plus lifemate color.
Rider:		One loop under the arm, string with two knots, plus lifemate color.
Wingsecond:		One loop under the arm, string with four knots, plus lifemate color.
Wingleader:		One loop under the arm, half loop over the arm, string tied to smaller loop, plus lifemate color.
Junior Weyrwoman:		One and a half loops over the arm, string tied to smaller loop, plus lifemate color.
Weyrleader:		Two loops over the arm, thread in lifemate color, plus tassel in bronze.
Weyrwoman:		Two loops over the arm, thread in lifemate color, plus tassel in gold.