FAQ

[Hayvn]

Here are the quick answers to common questions you may have about Silence Weyr.

Q: What are Silence Weyr's rules?

A:

Our basic rules can be found here.

Further detail and expansion can be found within this sub-board.

Q: What is Pern's technological level?

A:
In the Pern of Silence Weyr, Pern is at a SteamPunk technology level.

Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, and speculative fiction. Steampunk involves a setting where steam power is still widely used—usually Victorian era Britain—that incorporates elements of either science fiction or fantasy. Works of steampunk often feature anachronistic technology or futuristic innovations as Victorians may have envisioned them, based on a Victorian perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, art, etc. This technology may include such fictional machines as those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne.

Other examples of steampunk contain alternative history-style presentations of such technology as lighter-than-air airships, analog computers, or such digital mechanical computers as Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace's Analytical engine.

For more reading about the ideology behind SteamPunk at large, visit here or here.

Q: How does Silence Weyr's dragon system work?

A:

You have likely noticed that Silence Weyr does not have color ranks for its dragons. Or any pre-existing at birth ranks at all. Our dragon system is very much based around the fact that all riders must earn their ranks. All dragons are on the same level to start, and based on merit or on circumstances, ranks and so on can be achieved.

Female dragons come in various sizes, which affect the size of their clutches, but being able to clutch or not is not affected at all. Clutch size also has nothing to do with rank. The Werywoman can ride the smallest size class of dragon, even. It is all based on the merit of the pair and what they have achieved. Dragons can be any color, have markings, be various patterns, and Impress to anyone of any sexuality. It's all very open.

Q: What are the more prominent countries on Pern? What is each one like? Do they have an Earth parallel?

A:

The Most prominent countries on Pern are:

Southern Country: This is currently the largest and most developed country on Pern, only slighlty larger than Silence. However, lacking a Weyr to support it, it has a military disadvantage to Silence. It's closest likely Earth comparison, culturally, is The United States of America.

Benden Country: The Largest country on the Northern Continent, Benden is very much dominated by its history. It has a small Weyr Hold and what its known as Wher Hold specifically for training Whers, but does not depend on or care for the dragons there. It is a very independent element. It keeps to its old ways as much as possible, though there are places where it is difficult to see that happening as their is revolution slowly pushing its way through. Its wars are primarily internal at this time.

Igen Country: Igen country is the smallest in land area, but the most densely populated country of Pern. Culturally, it has developed into a country dominated with the respect for the elderly and its past that some may envision countries with rich heritage such as China, Japan, or even some European countries to be.

Warland Country: This is the only country who saw fit to brave the Western Continent with its new technology. Because of this, it is a tough and pit-bull like country that is ready for any fight - even if they may lose. Although they have the entire Western Continent to themselves (honestly, though it isn't that big), they are rather sparse in population, especially outside of their larger cities. They are most like the Russia of the past in culture. They depend on Warland Weyr, however, for their protection from Thread and from the Zanthien, though none of them are above going out and trying to fight their enemies on their own.

Loretas Country: One of three countries which pay tithes to a Weyr, Loretas Country has grown over a large expanse of land to the far North. They don't have to worry quite as much about thread or about Zanthien Hordes, but they do have to contest with the weather. Their large cities are quite something to look at! Often made of stone and metal, when covered with ice, they become crystal-like and beautiful. Their culture is tough in some areas, but in the cities, they can be seen as real softies, often disdained by their own country folk.

Silence Country: A typically laid back and familial country, Silence is an enigma to many. People here generally don't care for outsiders, and though one of the only three countries which pay tithes to an existing Weyr in return for protection, are suspicious of dragonriders in general. There are three fighting guilds here, all of which are built of different "clans" or families, though will generally accept those who can prove themselves. Silence Hold is by far the most developed of those in the steampunk nation where as Orilia Hold is far behind it and very much male dominated.

Silence Country greatly varies in its culture from Hold to Hold and place to place. It is located amongst the mountains of the Southern Continent to the west of Southern Country.

Q: Who, or what, are "The Enemy"?

A:

Full information on "The Enemy" or 'Zanthien' can be found here.

Q: Wait... So how do colors work again?

A:

For the purposes of clarity, when I refer to Silence Weyr in the following paragraph, I mean the whole website. Not the in-game location.

Colors at Silence Weyr hold a completely different meaning than is typically associated with DragonRiders of Pern. Color does not determine rank. But heres the cool part...

Name a color, or even a mix of colors. Theres a dragon of that color. We don't adhere to the standard roster of 5(/6) in canon. We don't adhere to the 20 or so color roster of many other non-canon Weyrs. We have all colors. Every single one of them.

Now, here at Silence Weyr size determines clutching rates, combat style, and other things you might expect (though not rank). Colors are not bound to sizes, and sizes not bound to colors. You can have a small teal dragon, a medium teal dragon, and a big teal dragon. All are equal, and have a chance for leadership based on the dragon & Rider merit.

Dragons at Silence Weyr can also have markings. Don't have too, but can.

So... You could have a teal dragon, with gold flecking on the feet, who was medium sized. Or you could have a teal dragon with a white belly, who was large sized. If you can think it, if you want it, you can make it. (With a dash of reasonability added in of course.)

Dragons come in all colors, sizes, and markings. They're still all the same basic shape though.

Hope that helped! Let an administrator know if you have further questions!