Dragon Sensitivity

Some people are more sensitive to dragons than others.  Outside of Pern this would be a measure of telepathic/empathic ability.  In Pern it's measured by the ease of ability to communicate with dragon kind.  The most obvious is the HAD (otherwise known as 'Hears All Dragons'.) As with all things there are varying degrees.  Not everyone is a HAD, and some people can be more sensitive and others to dragons.  For the sake of argument this is what the search dragons 'look' for when they search a candidate.   Please note,  The dragons do not have access to this chart.  They just know if someone 'feels' like a good candidate or not.  This chart is quantifying something that is ICly subjective.  Play it out acordingly.

NOTE: HADs may be either male or female.  Gender will not be a factor in deciding if a HAD application passes or not.

Here is a general scale for the various levels of sensitivity to dragons.

1 - Dragon Deaf: You can't hear them even if they ALL want you to.  (Not eligible for impression.  Period)

2 - It would take alot of effort and alot of panic to get through to you. (Not Eligible for Impression.  Period.)

3 - Minimum required to impress.  It's not likely if you want your candidate to be this dragon deaf, and impress they're going to have to work hard to over come the problems this will cause.  There WILL be communication issues that will only be resolved with practice. (Candidates of this level require coordination with staff PRIOR to submission of the sheet.)

4 - Average Pernese.  If a dragon WANTS  to talk to you they can, you probably won't be searched under normal circumstances, but you could be.  Possible communication troubles if they do impress

5 - Minimum ability level usually searched.  If a dragon wants to talk to you they have a little easier time of it, though they still have to work at it.  Just enough 'more' that you can catch a search dragon's eye if they're looking the right way and feel so inclined.  Possible communication troubles if they do impress.

6 - Average rider: No trouble communicating with thier dragon (at least not on an ability level.  How and what they say are entirely a different story.  But the ability to speak with their own dragon is unimpeded.)

7 - Above average: Dragons find it relatively easy to communicate with you.  In times of very great need you might be able to get the attention of a dragon you know very well but the Dragon MUST initiate the converstation, no matter how well you know them or desparate you are.  If the dragon's not paying attention you may have your work cut out for you.

8 - If you need to you can get their attention.  Dragons you know and are familiar with will likely pay attention.  You can sort of initiate conversations when them, usually only in high stress situations.  But you can definitely get the attention of a relevent dragon.   Whether they respond or not is another story.

9 - Conversational.  You can initiate conversation with maybe one or two very specific dragons (whom you know well.)   They can talk with you easily.  Whether they WILL or not is up to them, but they usually know when you want to talk to them if you try hard enough.

10 - HAD: Like various book characters you can converse with and hear all dragons at will.  (This must be specially approved and requires a very good app.  Or clearance by IM or e-mail in advance.)