A MUSH is an interactive novel, or an online roleplaying experience. The letters actually stand for 'Multi User Shared Hallucination', but the hallucination is something of a misnomer in today's environment, it is certainly not a drug. There are no winners, and no losers, in this game, the only 'pressure' is to have as much fun while playing. The roleplay and the interaction are the biggest difference between this and many other computer games. Certainly other games give you roleplaying as well, but there's something about a text only medium which challenges you to express yourself.

MUSHes are generally oriented towards simulating a fantasy or science fiction world, where the players take on various personae in a simulated society. In our case, that theme is the world of Pern™. A Pern MUSH is comprised of different people who share a passion for the world that Anne McCaffrey created in her Dragonriders of Pern series, who come together online to write their own storylines that involve Thread, dragons, holds, crafts and the other wonders of Pern.

The whole concept of a Pern M* started in 1991, with the opening of PernMUSH (also known as Northern Continent, or NC, because it focuses on the Northern Continent of Pern). This game was followed closely by its sister game, Southern Continent (SouCon or SC), and then by Dragonsfire MOO. Since then, various games have come and gone, with those three stalwarts still enjoying popularity and an active, dedicated player base. A full list of open, and approved (all Pern M* have to be approved by Anne McCaffrey, and no new games are being given permission) can be found on the All the Weyr's List or the ATWL.

New characters generally begin as children or teenagers (though not always!), seeking a new life on the Southern Continent of Pern as a member of a Craft, Hold, or Weyr. It's quite possible and probable to literally spend years with us (many have), growing up with the game - gaining new rank or position and the responsibilities which come along with that rank, starting a family, achieving fame or (far more fun!) infamy.

How can fame and family happen? Time runs a little faster on SouCon. A 'in-character month' (i.e. a month on SouCon) passes in a 'real-life' (i.e. Earth-calendar) week. The characters who began with us back in 1991 at the age of 16 or 17 are now, in 1997, in their early 60's.

It's nearly impossible to adequately describe the true warmth and community of a good MUSH environment. But we hope that, if you haven't already, you might try the Soucon experience, and become a part of our ongoing story.