Pern is a very rank orientated culture; courtesy, politeness and respect are required when dealing with someone who outranks you. It is important to remember that Pern is not modern day Earth, no one has a right to be treated equally or is treated equally all the time. By choosing to RP on any Pern game you are accepting this as an integral part of your character, whether you agree or not it just is.

Pernese are born knowing their place within society, its ingrained. They are drilled in this from birth, by example from their elders and from the Harpers. Pern would not be able to function the way it does without this established rank structure. The Pernese wear shoulder knots to let strangers know their rank, and everyone is taught to recognize the various loops, knots and colors that identify them.

Rank can be, and is, fluid on Pern. There are ways to 'promote' your character into the higher ranks if you're lucky and if you have the inclination. There is no rule about having to get promoted, and the higher up you go, the more OOC work you have to do. This often means less RP at the very least. Furthermore, your character will often develop or change. If you're the Senior Weyrwoman, you're unlikely to pull pranks or jokes on people.

Some of the biggest changes in rank happen in a Craft: an apprentice can lead the Craft one day. Crafters start off as apprentices, and gradually learn more about their chosen path, and eventually, if they work hard and show respectful behavior, they will get promoted to Journeyman. Don't expect to mouth off to the Masters and get a promotion; it simply wouldn't work. If a Journeyman works hard and is skilled in his or her area, then they will be promoted to Master, and then even perhaps Apprentice Master, Craftsecond or Craftmaster. Promotion in a craft is a combination of personality and skill, which will differ from craft to craft.

In the Weyrs, rank can dramatically change with impression, particularly if an individual impresses a gold. Suddenly you're in a whole different rank system. However, rank in the Weyr's is much more complicated than in a Hold or Craft. There are many tiers, and all report in different manners. People can change rank depending on personality and skill before impressing, and after. As a resident, you can change to a resident with a specific job, or an Assistant to the Headwoman or Steward, or even the Headwoman and Steward themselves. They report directly to the Weyrwoman and are answerable to no one else. Weyrlings can move from rider to Wingsecond, Wingleader, Weyrsecond, Weyrlingmaster or even Weyrleader if they ride bronze. Riders, with the exception of those who ride gold, all report to the Weyrleader.

In the Holds, things tend to be more stable. There are positions, such as Headwoman and Steward, which can be obtained by those willing to work hard and with the right personality. Transfer of Lord and Holder positions can happen if they die without a direct heir, but that's rare since no birth control means lots of children!

Respect flows both ways. The Weyrleaders/Craftmasters/Lord Holders rely on the obedience and respect of the rest of Pern to keep the Weyrs running and skies clear of Thread. The residents rely on the knowledge and skill of their ranked members to do their job properly, and keep them safe. Dismiss holders as 'insignificant' and no tithes arrive at the Weyr! Ignore the Harper Craftmaster and harpers stop coming to your hold and teaching your children! Pay no heed to the greenrider warning you of imminent 'Fall and watch that big gap in Threadfall coverage right over your home!

However, rank doesn't really cross the Weyr:Craft:Hold borders. A rider has no influence over a holder, a Weyrwoman over an apprentice, etc. However, there is still respect within these ranks. An apprentice isn't going to mouth off at a Weyrwoman, because the Weyrwoman will possibly not only chastise them, but also report them to their Craftmaster.

On Pern games, we often ignore the social ladders. Ranking people will often ask to be called by their first name, unless you're in trouble, and then all bets are off. But even within that informality as requested by the characters, there is a certain level of familiarity that shouldn't be approached by anyone: if that line is crossed, the disrespect will be addressed. For instance, don't insult the Lady Holder and expect her not to react to it. Remember too that not all people have the same idea of what constitutes rude behavior. A remark may be taken out of context, sometimes intentionally. This can add flavor to the RP!

Do remember to separate IC and OOC. Just because someone is RPing their character appropriately, i.e., chewing you out because you did something stupid and they're in charge of you, it doesn't mean they hate you RL. If you're uncertain, page the person, ask them, and vice versa. Every character has the right to RP as they wish to, but that also extends to the area leaders.

Expect IC consequences for IC actions, and expect those to cross into OOC as well if the situation warrants it. If you do decide to RP someone who confronts rank, and we're not saying it couldn't happen, it'd just be rare, and difficult to RP, then expect to be turned out of your area, deknotted, etc. It might not happen, but it can, so be prepared for it.

If you're Rping with someone who's being unreasonable about rank, page him or her. Check that they know what's going to happen. If you don't feel in a position to deal with it, log the event, and contact your area leader, the person's area leader, a guide member or a wizard. The key is communication. Some people might not even realize they are being unrealistic and will modify things when that's brought to their attention. If you feel very uncomfortable with the situation, leave. If you get the feeling this person is trying to tweak you, log out. If they constantly do it, and it crosses borders, ask someone higher up to step in. There are some players on the Internet who feel as though it's their right to annoy others. It isn't!

Rank can add a whole dimension to RP that we don't visit very often in RL. Remember that, and have fun with it.