Rules and FAQ
This is the information section of the website. Make sure to read through all of this carefully. If a question you have is not on here, then e-mail the administration.
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* How do I start posting with my new character?
An introductory post can begin with the character arriving at the Weyr, or even already there if that's what you decided when you created them. The post usually includes some description of what the character looks like, and what they're doing at that moment. What they're thinking is good too. You can start out looking for someone in particular (like the Candidate Master), or leave it open for anyone to reply and see what happens. All you need to do is position your character where they will be able to interact with someone else. If you need more help, you can contact anyone who plays that your character needs to interact with and ask for help with getting started on that first post.
* How do I date posts?
Answer: Posts should be dated within the month currently being played in game. It is recommended that you read a few of the current threads, and find out if there are any major plots currently going on before picking a date. Though usually almost anything right around other posts happening is fine. DO NOT post ahead of the latest dates you see. The large plots move at the Administrator's pleasure.
* How do I get the attention of specific characters?
Answer: When you are posting, in the subject line there is an Attention area, usually marked by a pair of parentheses ( ) or two pair, (( )), with the names of the characters interacting in the scene if there are two or three. To get another character's attention, you add " Attn: character's name" or the name of the group of characters who need to respond, such as ((Attn: Candidates.))
You can also "Attn: Anyone" if you want to be surprised and just see who shows up to interact.
* What do I put in the subject line of a post?
Answer: The subject line of the post should include the date the post takes place, a title for the post, and an "Attention" to whomever you want to interact in the post.
* What is a JP?
Answer: JP stands for Joint Post. This is a thread that was written off-list (usually via e-mail or on an Instant Messenger) between two or more people and then posted in its entirety in one post.
* How do I ask a question out of character? Or, what is an OOC post?
If you need to make a comment, correction, or ask a question during a post, or seperately, you being by writing OOC (for Out Of Character) next to the text that is not part of the characters interaction (to keep things from getting confused). If the entire post is out of character, OOC should appear in the Subject Line.
* Are grammar and spelling important?
Answer: Yes. Check your spelling and punctuation *before* you send your posts. It doesn't have to be perfect, but no one wants to read a post that's hard to understand.
* How should I format my posts?
When writing posts, use good grammar and write them in proper paragraphs.
* If I am going out of town what should I do to notify the Weyr?
Answer: Send a post to the list at least 2-3 days in *advance* of the period in which you will be unable to post. If you can, give the amount of time you will be gone. This is considered polite and appropriate notice. It is understandable that emergencies come up and sometimes notice cannot be given. However, anyone who repeatedly vanishes without reason may find themselves put on moderated post, or asked to leave the list.
* How much of the previous post should I quote in my reply?
Answer: Quote only the end of the previous post, or the part to which you are replying specifically. Such as the previous characters last lines. *Do not* quote the entire previous post if it is longer than a single paragraph (of 3-5 lines).
* How do I punctuate dragon speech?
Answer: Mark dragon speech, and riders speaking mentally to their dragons with double parenthesis of some form (( )) or {{ }} are preferable.
* How does time work in this RPG?
Answer: This game runs on a 12 month schedule. However, real time (the time we live in) and game time will not necessarily overlap exactly by dates. It may take longer to get somewhere in game, because everyone who plays has a different schedule, and it may take a while for every thread in one game-month to be finished if people are busy or a thread requires a lot more to be said. Big events like hatchings have set times when they can happen, and will happen whenever the game gets to the appropriate date in-game, as opposed to the date in real-time.
* Can I join in threads where I have not specifically been invited?
Answer: If the characters are in a public place, and are not having a highly sensitive conversation, than feel free to join in. If you're unsure, feel free to ask one of the players off-list to find out.
* What kinds of threads can I start without talking to the Administration first? What kinds do I need to clear?
Answer: Threads/plot ideas that MUST be cleared through the Administration include (but are not limited to): Threadfall, Timing (is forbidden), characters needing to leave their posts in the Weyr for an extended period of time, anything that will effect the population of the Weyr at some point beyond just your characters.
Types that can be written without express permission: character interaction and character building scenes, minor plots that do not involve major effects to the Weyr, and anything that doesn't break any of the other Weyr rules.
* How long should a thread last?
Answer: You should try to keep threads on track, and get them done in a timely fashion. Two to three weeks would be ideal. If it's taking longer, I recommend trying to finish it up as a Joint Post via e-mail or Instant Messenger. The Weyr needs to move along in a timely fashion, and so it would be best if no thread is dated further back than the month before the current open month.
* How does the Month system work?
Answer: While I know this game is played on the
Southern Continent, it tends to get very confusing trying to get people to write
the opposite season from that which they are in. So to keep things simple,
Mountain Song Weyr has a twelve month system, instead of the original thirteen
in the novels. And July (the seventh month) in game will be as hot as it is for
most of the northern hemisphere of Earth. The temperatures right around the Weyr
specifically, being in the mountains, will remain a good bit cooler than the
usual weather of the Southern Continent thanks to its high mountain climate
further towards the Southern Pole. Months may be referred to by the following
names (with 1 being our month of January and so on):
* What are the rules concerning Timing It?
Answer: Timing it is known of, but it is forbidden
without use -in game- by the Weyrleaders. OOC: permission must be gotten by
asking the Administration of the game *first* with a full -and very good and
complete- explanation of why. This is not something which will be permitted
lightly.
* What do I need to know about filling out the persona sheet?
Answer:
- The more details in each field, the better.
- Be realistic, things that couldn't happen on Pern or are out of place will require correction. No one is without flaws.
- There are no armies on Pern, and therefore very few people who use swords or other weapons. There are thus no warriors, knights, soldiers, or samurai etc... on Pern. The only organized "fighters" are the Guardsmen.
- Not everyone can have a gold firelizard or wher. These are almost as hard to come by as gold dragons themselves. So don't go trying to give your first character a gold firelizard or wher. Like anything rare, you've got to earn it. Also remember that there are fewer bronzes than browns, blues, and greens.
* How long will it take before I hear if my character has been accepted?
Answer:
The time may vary, depending on how many new characters the administration recieves,
and the amount of time available. However, you should hear back within 1-4 days.
* How tall are characters in this Pern game?
Answer: To keep from having entirely a population of giants, the heights in
Mountain Song's Pass are often a bit taller than the human average in real life,
but we have to consider the smaller genetics that would get into some bloodlines
as well, so most of the height range is doable. Short on Earth is short on Pern!
The 'average' heights for males are 5' 11-6' 4''..."tall" for a male
would be 6'5''-6'7'' anything taller than that is very large and there are to
be very few of them. Women, in general, are still a bit smaller, with 'average'
height being about 5'6''-5'11'' and fairly tall being about 6'0''-6'4''.
* How/when are Candidates Searched?
Answer: Search Dragons are sent out usually a month or two before an imminent hatching, however, a person may be searched at any time if a dragon happens to Search them in, or out, of the Weyr.
* What are the age limits for Candidates?
Answer: Candidates may be from 12-21 turns of age. No more, no less.
* What are the rules for Candidates?
Answer: See Candidates Page.
* What kind of classes do Candidates take?
Answer: See Candidates Page.
* What is the Candidate daily schedule?
Answer: See Candidates Page.
* What kind of classes do Weyrlings take?
Answer: See Weyrlings Page.
* What are the rules for Weyrlings?
Answer: See Weyrlings Page.
* What is the Weyrling schedule?
Answer: See Weyrlings Page.
* When do Weyrlings Graduate?
Answer: Weyrlings graduate whenever the Weyrling Master decides they are ready. The time usually falls about a year and a half after the hatching, though it may vary slightly depending on extenuating circumstances that may hamper training. Weyrlings who advance quickly in their classes may be assigned fighting wings before they have completed their training. Weyrlings will not graduate before the age of 16 turns.
* Who Impresses what colors, and under what conditions?
Answer: Traditionally, girls impress Green or Gold, and boys Bronze, Brown, Blue, and occasionally a Green. However, there are always the odd cases of bi-sexual and homosexual riders, to whom the regular rules do not entirely apply. Females may occasionally Impress Blue or Brown, while boys may Impress Green. However, only straight females Impress Gold, and only males can Impress Bronze.
* There's a Gold egg on the sands, and I'm interested. What's involved with getting a gold, and what are the responsibilities of playing a Goldrider?
Answer:
Part 1: What's Involved - In order to be *considered* for a gold egg you must be able to show several qualities. First, you must prove that you are willing to get involved, coming up with plots, posting often, and playing along with the major plots that the administration sets in motion. You must also show creativity, in your character development, the plots you start, and your flexibility in dealing with different types of situations. Third, you must prove yourself to be reliable. People who post rarely, or do not try and use proper formatting or grammar, or vanish for several days at a time without prior notice (except in the case of emergencies) will not have much chance for consideration. There is no time limit on how long you have to have been playing to be eligible for a queen, but unless there are special circumstances, the administration prefers you have been playing at least six months.
Part 2: The responsibilities of being a Goldrider: Like your character, you will also have responsibilities to the Weyr. Your character will be expected to perform the duties of her office, be she Weyrwoman, or one of the Juniors, or simply a Weyrling. You will be expected to help with creating plots, and keeping them going, as well as helping new players and answering questions, as well as following the direction of the administration. Being able to work in a group, and compromise, is essential.
* Will I get exactly what I ask for on my candidate sheet?
Answer: The goal is to give everyone dragons they will like, and will be interesting and fun for their characters to interact with. If you put blue, and we decide your candidate would do better with a bronze, or possibly even a green, it is possible they may get something else. We *do* use what you ask for as a guideline. For example, suggested name spellings may be altered slightly to make them seem more Pernese.
* The Rules as Laid out by Anne McCaffrey it is noted, have recently changed. In truth, they have been relaxed a great deal. This will mean, however, only a little in the running of Mountain Song, which prides itself on being a realistic extension of Pernese history. Here are the original rules, marked with any alterations.
- No playing in Ruatha Hold or Benden Weyr (this will continue. Characters may be from there, but we won't be playing *in* Ruatha Hold or *in* Benden Weyr at all.)
- No odd-colored dragons, only the original colors, and no sport dragons. Golds only Impress females, and Bronzes only Impress males. (no changes here. sizes of dragons often vary somewhat, but the general rules will continue to apply. Same with who can impress what color.)
- No cross-over characters: no one from any other Universe, whether created by McCaffrey or not. (this stays the same!)
- No religion, magic, or war on Pern. (definitely not changing)
- No characters created by Anne McCaffrey can be used in any way. (as they're all dead, obviously not a problem. Mentions of them as historical characters may be allowed on occasion if needed.)
- No fanfiction, or poetry, whether your
own or Anne McCaffrey's works may be posted on this site.
(That's not what our site is for, so not really a
worry.)
* How long does it take to cross between the Northern and Southern Continents by ship?
Answer: It takes three to four weeks to cross the ocean by ship between the two continents, as much as five in the winter, and occasionally slightly shorter in the summer, depending on direction and winds, as well as which ports the ship is sailing from. Winter storms stop ships almost entirely in the coldest months of the turn.
* How large are dragons when they hatch?
Answer: At hatching, dragonets are the size of horses, with Golds being about the size of a draft horse, down to greens being about the size of ponies. They are *too large* to be picked up and carried, so don't try it!
* How fast do dragonets grow?
Answer: Dragonets grow quickly, reaching 1/2 to 3/4 of their size by 8 months on average, though it varies with dragon color. The smaller dragons reach full-size first. It takes the larger dragons as much as three turns to reach full maturity, as their growth slows after the first turn.
* When do dragons start flying?
Answer: Dragonets are capable of beginning to learn to fly at 5-7 months, and will be taught how when the Weyrling Master believes the dragonets, and their Weyrlings, are ready.
* How old do greens or golds have to be to rise to mate?
Answer: During a pass, female dragons tend to rise earlier and more frequently in order to breed enough dragons to fight thread. A female usually rises for the first time right around the time she reaches her first turn. Greens occasionally rise as early as 10 months, but Golds rarely before their 12th or later. Before having your young green or gold rise for the first time, clear it with the administration.
* How often do golds and greens rise?
Answer:
Once mature, Golds tend to rise every four to six months. Greens, being sterile,
may rise more often, anywhere from two to four times a turn.
* At what ages do golds and greens first rise?
Answer: Green dragons first rise at 8 months of age or older. Golds do not usually rise until at least a year and a half of age, and occasionally not until they are in their second year.
* How good are dragon's memories?
Answer:
Dragons, as a general rule, usually have fairly short memories. This is useful
in that they do not remember the horrors of being scored by thread for long,
though it can be inconvenient in some cases.
* Do dragons often
speak to others besides their Riders?
Answer: In the books, rarely, though in the game it is more allowable. However, most dragons will rarely, if ever, say the name of another dragon's Rider.
* How often do fire-lizard clutches occur?
Answer: Fire lizard clutches tend to happen, on average, every few months, but there's no set amount. Be patient, one will come up sooner or later!
* What is the gestation period of a flit clutch?
Answer: A female fire lizard carries her eggs for one month, then they are tended for another month before hatching.
* Can green fire-lizards clutch?
Answer: Occasionally a green flit may clutch, but the clutches are always small, and never contain queens. If she is caught by a brown or blue, than the eggs will contain nothing larger than the male (brown or blue). It is important to note that greens make terrible mothers. They do not have the instincts for caring for their eggs, and often hide their clutches in the wild, even if they live in a Weyr or Hold. So often the eggs hatch in the wild, or die.
* May my green fire-lizard clutch?
Answer: Only with the permission of the administration, and this permission is given rarely. Ask first!
* How smart are fire-lizards?
Answer: Flits aren't particularly intelligent. They don't think in words. They think in images, and occasionally sounds and smells. They are incapable of speech. Queen firelizards have a slightly better memory than most, but that only lasts a few days. Greens are lucky to remember much past the latest few hours. Many flits are unsuitable as messengers, being unreliable, despite their often good nature.
* How are fire-lizard eggs given out?
Answer: Any fire lizards eggs that are to be given out must be approved by the game administration. Fire lizards, like dragons, must be earned.
* How smart are whers?
Answer: Whers are smarter then flits, being more reliable, though usually light sensitive and they think in pictures like flits. They are cautious, and less friendly than flits to strangers, but excellent protectors.
* What is the gestation period of a wher clutch?
Answer:
A female wher is egg heavy for two months, then the eggs are tended for another
two months before hatching.
* How old must a green or gold firelizard or wher be to rise/run?
Answer:
Firelizards - Greens can rise at 4-6 months, Golds usually do not rise before
9, more commonly at 12 months.
Whers - Greens can run at 9-12 months, Golds between a year and eighteen months,
with 14-15 months being the average.