Theran Weyr Manual
Welcome to Theran Weyr!
Rev. September 29, 2003
Theran Weyr is a non-profit organization created to give the fans of Anne McCaffrey a place to safely play Pern. 'Pern' and 'Dragondriders of Pern' are trademarks and copyright of Anne McCaffrey, 1967. No violation of her copyright is intended.
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What's So Special about Theran Weyr?
Theran is a new Weyr, replacing one, which once existed in the shared timeline of which Theran is a part. As a new club, Theran offers members the chance to build something uniquely theirs, instead of building on an already established history. We can be more open to trying new things while giving members experienced leadership by people who have been in Pern fandom for a long time and who know the ropes.
There is no member age limit at Theran. We figure, if you're old enough to read the books and enjoy them, then you're old enough to play. Theran does not publish anything that exceeds the boundaries set by Anne McCaffrey in her own books. We do require that members at least have read the first three books, simply so they understand the world that we're playing in.
We also request that you tell us your date of birth in your membership application. This is partly done for the protection of younger members. If we know we have younger members, we can all look out for them. Also, it helps us when editing stories or persona sheets to know the age of the member we are dealing with.
What We Do
Theran Weyr's focus is on writing stories and producing a fanzine on a regular schedule. But as more and more people have gotten online, the instant communication permitted by email has changed what Pern fans most want. Many still want the stories and the fanzine, but an increasing amount more want the instant interaction and gratification of role-playing.
Theran's primary focus will always be on writing stories. But we have established a system of email role-plays, which we hope the membership will enjoy. The goal of these RP's will be to give a basis for one or more stories, and therefore, each RP will be themed. In this way, we hope to satisfy both desires in our members: the stories, and the play.
Keeping in Touch
Theran Weyr also maintains an Internet discussion group on the Yahoo Groups network. The Theran Weyr discussion list is open to the public so that lurkers can visit and get to know us better. Publications
Theran publishes a bi-annual fanzine called Tales from the Two Faced Mountain at the end of June and the end of December. Tales from the Two Faced Mountain contains the stories, which have been published on the story mailing list during the preceding six months.
Stories are published as they are received and edited, so members receive a fairly steady stream of new stories. The stories are only available individually on the mailing list. The fanzine itself will only be available in hardcopy and can be purchased issue-by-issue for copy/mailing costs. The membership will be notified via the Theran News mailing list when the hardcopy is ready and told the price of the issue then.
Our Shared Timeline
Fictionally, Theran Weyr takes place in the 10th Pass. That's the Pass after the one in the books by McCaffrey. We write in an alternate Pern, one in which they found AIVAS, but it didn't work. Thread still falls, and the dragonriders are still a necessary feature of Pernese society.
We are part of a shared timeline, which we call the Shared Tenth Pass. Other clubs publicly active in this timeline include: Crescent, Fort, Haven, High Reaches, Igen, Ista, StarRise, Southern, and Telgar Weyrs. Interaction between clubs is encouraged and welcomed.
Because AIVAS did not work when it was discovered, many of the technological advances achieved in Anne McCaffrey's books never happened in Theran's version of Pern. Fandarel's long-distance machine was never pursued due to lack of time and resources. Life in the Shared Tenth Pass is perhaps slightly less technologically advanced than it was during the Ninth Pass.
There have been some improvements, however. Parchment and paper are more easily available, but hides remain the most popular way to record things.
Anne McCaffrey's Rules – Brief Highlight
Every active Pern fan club exists on Anne McCaffrey's sufferance. Legally speaking, we're breaking the law by violating her copyright. However, because we have her permission, we are allowed to play. Anne McCaffrey has requested that we abide by a few rules.
Play in Theran Weyr is restricted to members only. Stories, art, poems, etc. which are specifically Pernese in nature cannot be shared with people who are not members of the club. Only the club leader may distribute the collected works of the club, and she may not sell these works to anyone outside of Theran. Any member caught violating this rule will be asked to leave the club. There are no second chances.
Anne McCaffrey's characters may not be used. We're in the Tenth Pass, so we won't be holding a Council with Lessa and F'lar. Neither may any of her characters be your persona's great-great-great-great anything.
Only women ride golds. Only men ride bronzes. There are no odd-colored dragons. Gold, bronze, brown, blue, and green are the only dragon colors permitted. That's it.
There are to be no 'sport' dragons. Ruth was the first and the last.
There is no religion on Pern.
There is no war on Pern during a Pass.
There is no magic on Pern.
You'll find that some clubs are conservative, allowing nothing that Anne McCaffrey hasn't done to happen in their club. Other clubs are quite liberal, fully exploring the "What if?" question and allowing things which others would find questionable or unacceptable. Those are the two extremes.
Theran a middle path on this issue. We use the happenings of the books as a basis, not a bible. We encourage members to explore possibilities. Our rule is: if it makes sense that it can be done, then we'll do it. If, however, it doesn't make sense, then we won't allow it.
Location
Theran Weyr is located on the Southern Continent, in the Two-Faced Mountain discovered by Jaxom. It lies near the original landing site of the Ancients who first settled Pern.
The territory contains four major Holds, which are named Kantara Hold, Mist Riverhold, Theran Seahold, and Waterfall Hold. Each of these Holds have a number of minor Holds looking to it. The minor Holds, in turn, each have any number of cotholds looking to them. Land in the South is much more spread-out than it is, in the Northern Continent, and there is still a good quantity of unexplored land in the south of Theran's territory.
WeyrFest
Theran Weyr takes part WeyrFest at Dragon*Con in Atlanta every summer, so Theran members are encouraged to join in the planning and execution of the world's only annual Pern mini-convention. In years when enough Theran members plan to attend, we will hold a Weyr Gather there.
Becoming a Member of Theran Weyr
Online membership in Theran Weyr is free. All you need to do is provide the Board of Directors with a valid email address, and you're in. Email should be sent to:
Virginia
-- AvilaLione@aol.com
Cindy
-- irilyn@yahoo.com
LouAnn
-- haven0829@yahoo.com
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!
Rules of Play
Anne McCaffrey has set down some very important rules that allow us to play in the World of Pern (r). These rules will not, under any circumstances, be broken. Anyone who attempts to do so will be immediately ejected from Theran Weyr. In addition to Anne McCaffrey's rules, Theran Weyr has a few of their own.
1) Stories that violate the basic rules of Pern will not be printed. There is no magic or religion on Pern nor are there any spaceships. Likewise, there are no Talents, Companions, Bondbirds, Klingons, etc. on Pern - nor will there ever be.
2) Benden Weyr and Ruatha Hold are off-limits and none of Anne's characters can be used (in person or as ancestors) or mentioned in stories except in a historical context. It is highly recommended that you avoid using them at all.
3) There will be no more "sport" dragons like Ruth. He was the only white dragon -- and the only dragon ever hatched that will be anything other than one of the five standard colors: green, blue, brown, bronze, or gold.
4) Gold dragons only Impress heterosexual women and bronze dragons only Impress heterosexual men.
5) Hatchlings will never Impress a Candidate who is insane or has leanings towards insanity. They choose Candidates who are healthy in mind and body as their weyrmates as both their lives will depend upon those qualities when they begin to fight Thread.
6) Unnecessary Obscenity, Graphic Violence or Gratuitous Sex Scenes: While we know that Threadscore is a bloody mess, blade fights can be gory and gross and dragonrider (and holder/crafter) sexual habits can be questionable, there is no need to give step by step descriptions. Any type of obscenity, graphic violence or gratuitous sex scenes will not be published. What constitutes obscenity or graphic violence or gratuitous sex scenes will be determined and cut by the editors.
7) HAD: Hearing all dragons is an extremely rare talent, and must be supported. If you want your character to posses this talent, be prepared to explain in detail why it is vital to the Leadership Team, and to support it both with heavy story requirements and mundane work for the Weyr. No more than 2 characters may possess this talent at any time. Only females can have this talent.
8) Firelizards: The distribution of firelizards is completely at the Leadership Team's discretion. Ask first before assuming you have one.
9) Timing: While we do not specifically ban this ability, knowledge of it is restricted to bronze and goldriders only. If timing is going to be an integral part of your story line, first get the approval of the editor and be prepared for repercussions on your persona. Timing is extremely dangerous and frowned upon by the Weyrleaders (More like your tush is toast if you're caught - and you will be).
10) Any unauthorized distribution of any publication from Theran Weyr will result in the immediate expulsion of the offending member. Only the Leadership Team is authorized to distribute any publication by Theran Weyr.
Theran Weyr Membership Form
and Copyright Understanding
By signing this waiver, I am joining the Pern fan group Theran Weyr. I am aware that at that time, if I have an email address, I will be added to the Theran@yahoogroups.com mailing list . I also acknowledge that I am aware (as of now) that the fanzines are only available in a hardcopy format and that each issue must be paid for individually for precisely the cost of copying and postage.
It is also clear to me that I am aware that all personal information, with the exception of my name, that I give to Theran Weyr is kept confidential and is not distributed to anyone outside of the group. I also state that I am aware that if I distribute another member's personal information, or if I copy and distribute additional copies of any publication by Theran Weyr to someone who is not a member, I will be immediately removed from Theran Weyr's membership roster and will not be allowed to return.
Name: ________________________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Phone: (_________) ________________________________________________
Birthdate: ____________/________________/__________________
Email: ______________________________________@ _______________________________
Theran Weyr is has a minimum age requirement of 18 because we are an R-rated writing group. You are forewarned that there may be stories and/or RPs with explicit sexual scenes or violence. While all such are required to have a purpose in the larger storyline or character development, the point at which Theran 'draws the curtain' or 'fades to black' comes much later than it does in other groups. By sending in this membership form, you acknowledge you are aware of this and will exercise your right to simply not read material which may offend you rather than protest receiving that material via email RP posts or stories in the zine.
I have read and agree to the above-mentioned terms:
Signature: _____________________________________________________________________
(Please copy this information and submit via email to Virginia at avialione@aol.com or Cindy at irilyn@yahoo.com )
Theran Weyr
Persona Policy
1) All personas played
in RP or featured in a story must have a completed persona sheet approved*
prior to playing that character in an RP or before a story featuring them will
be published. No exceptions.
2) NPC characters can be
used if they are contributing to a current story arc, but can not be
featured. As in, they can come up and talk to others to help forward a
story, but they can not go off on their own and have their own plot
threads. Exceptions may be made on a case by case basis; please speak to
the BOD if you've got something in mind.
3) NPC characters must
have at least a blurb on file; if they are attached to one of your characters,
as most are, they should be at the end of that persona's sheet.
4) WNPC characters can be
used at any time, so long as they are consistent with any past use of them, in
stories or other RPs. Nothing outrageous can be done with WNPCs without
BOD approval. They can appear in posts or stories to help forward a plot,
but you can't injure, kill, or start forming relationships between your
characters and them.
Reasons
for this policy!
It's
a common event in fandom - a person will start playing a character, working
with a minimum or no sheet. They get carried away. Before the BOD knows
it, the persona is related to someone they were never related to before, or
something completely random comes up that is against the rules. The
problem with not having a sheet is that we can't approve nothing - and we'd
rather you put the thought into your persona ahead of time, then find out later
that you've been trying to do something with them that we simply can't
allow.
There are no
exceptions to this policy, a persona can not be played until the sheet has been
approved.
What
defines a "sheet"?
Our persona sheet can be found on the Yahoogroups site,
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheranWeyr/files
What you fill out doesn't have to be every detail of your
persona's life - we understand that you find some of it with time. But an
idea of where they are from, how they got where they are, a bit of their
general background, and some key personality traits are a must. We're not
asking for a huge 3 page monster of a sheet - just a couple of paragraphs for
each area will do.
Who do I turn my sheet in to?
Virginia
and Cindy (avilialione@aol.com and irilyn@yahoo.com, respectively) are always
willing to take your sheets.
What if I turned in a sheet and no one has gotten back to
me?
Don't panic! The RPs aren't going anywhere. As
Virginia, Cindy, and the rest of the BOD are very busy people outside of
fandom, please give them at least a couple of days to respond before sending
any reminder mails.
Questions? Ask any of the BOD!
Virginia
-- AvilaLione@aol.com
Cindy – irilyn@yahoo.com
LouAnn -- haven0829@yahoo.com
Persona Sheet Information for Theran Weyr
Below are two persona sheets. The first is an explanation of what each field is and the information we need there. The second is a blank persona sheet that you can cut and paste in to a word processing program to fill out and send to us. If you have any questions or need any assistance creating your character, please don't hesitate to contact the leadership team. (This sheet was provided by Sable Weyr, Thank you!)
The Real You
(If there is any information in this section you want kept confidential, just mark it with an asterisk [*] or two, and that part won't go in the member listing. Normally, though, we don't list years of birth or phone numbers. Also note that the use of the masculine pronoun [he, his, etc.] does not indicate that female personas aren't wanted, it's just laziness and a desire for clarity on the part of the writer.)
Name: Your real name please.
Address: An address where we will be able to reach you regularly in case we need to discuss your persona.
Online Mail Address: Can we reach you online? Please let us know your unique address.
Phone Number: For emergencies. Don't forget the area code!
Your Persona
Name: Your persona's name. If he is a dragonrider, please include his name before honorific. Male dragonriders always honorific their names, women are given the choice. If the name you have chosen is already in use at Sable, is the name of another Weyrleader, or is one of Anne McCaffrey's character's names you will be requested to choose another name. This doesn't happen frequently.
Position: What does your persona do? What is his rank?
Sex: The sex of your character. You are not restricted by what sex you are.
Birthdate and Age: Pernese date and the age your persona will be when the persona sheet reaches us. If you're unsure about Pernese dates, please refer to the Terran Pern Conversion Chart.
Birthplace: Hold, Hall, or Weyr? Which one?
Parents' Names and Ranks: Names, ranks, titles. Are they still alive? Etc. This information can be filled at as TBD (to be determined) and is often recommended.
Siblings: Names and present ages. Any other info you'd like to include is welcome. Again, it is often recommended that this be left as TBD unless there are specific siblings you plan to use.
Significant others: Children or foster children of your persona, as well as weyrmates, enemies, etc.
Physical Description: Height, weight, build, hair (color, length, style), eye color and shape, complexion, facial features, marks or scars, handicaps, handedness, etc. Just to make your persona clear in our minds too, if your persona looks like a favorite movie/tv star or model, let us know. What does your character like to wear? What colors? Style? Does your character wear jewelry or necklaces, rings, beltknives, short sword, etc?
Timeline: This is simply a chronological listing of the events in your character's life and the dates they happened. When your character was born, important dates in your character's history, travel, Impression, titles, etc. Don't forget Dates! We put together annually a total Weyr timeline, and we'd like to include your character's information. If you're unsure of the Pernese dates, fill in Terran dates and let us convert.
Background: Where the character came from, family, friends, weyrmates, children, masters he's studied under, rank, etc. Whatever happened in your character's past to make him the persona he is today.
Personality: A short synopsis. You might tell how he handles himself in emergencies, how he reacts to strangers, what he does in the face of criticism, his likes and dislikes, Is he emotional, inquisitive, short-tempered? Does he have any phobias? Does he make people feel rushed, or uncomfortable? Does he laugh easily or rarely? Is he an incurable punster, or does he groan when he hears a pun? Are practical jokes a specialty, or is he the one on whom they get pulled? Anything that will help us get to know your character better so we can include him in our stories. Characters are developed as they are written about, so if this section seems a little sparse, you can update later.
Pets: Please list what species, color, name, personality, and other facts too. You must get permission from the club leader for permission to have a gold firelizard. These are generally reserved as rewards to members.
Dragonriders
Name: What's his/her name? Dragon names always end in 'th'. Members get to name their own dragons but, in terms of your stories, your dragon will tell you. (Please keep in mind that pun names are discouraged. While joke or pun dragon names may seem like fun when you come up with them, they very soon grow boring, or, downright annoying.)
Color: Dragons come in gold, bronze, brown, blue, and green. The shades may vary according to the individual, but not drastically so. Anne has asked that there be no more white, odd-colored, or "sport" (mutant) dragons, so there will be none.
Size: Relative size here, like small, medium, large, or extra large, for the color he or she is.
Where and When Impressed: Which Weyr? Date?
Sire/Dam: Parents. This information will come from the clutch chart along with the date.
Physical Appearance: Scars, build, shading, etc.
Personality: Dragons are just as much a part of your character as the human aspect of them. Please give your friend a personality! Again, don't worry if this section isn't very large at first.
Abilities: Is your dragon a cut and chop artist, like Ruth was? Is he good at finding candidates on Search? Don't be afraid to leave this section blank; most dragons develop as they are written about.
Relationships: With rider, with other dragons, with other riders, with non-riders, with firelizards and pets.
Crafters
Craft: Which Pernese craft?
Specialty: If there's an area within the craft your character specializes in or is very good at, put that here.
Rank: Master, Journeyman, or Apprentice.
Masters: Any important masters your character has studied under? Any he feels special about?
Holders
Hold: Name of the hold your character lives at.
Size: Is it a major hold, minor hold, cothold, or seahold?
Rank: Lord Holder, Holder, Cotholder, Seaholder, or just a hold person.
Others
Title: If your character is not one of the above, this is the place to tell us what they are, such as a trader, holdless, etc.
Other: Tell us all about what your character does and where he does it.
NPC – Non Persona Characters (optional)
Please list the names and rank of those whose creative control you hold. (i.e., your parents, children, brothers, sisters, anyone you create for your stories.) Also, there are lots of Weyr NPCs just Dying to be used in stories. These are always available if you need a character for a bit part in your story. They are also available for adoption.
When you're finished filling out your Persona Sheet, send it to the Weyr address listed in this Guide.
(snip here)
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Send this to
THERAN WEYR PERSONA SHEET
Date Created:
Date Approved:
Date Updated:
THE REAL YOU
Name:
Address:
Online Mail Address:
Phone Number:
YOUR PERSONA
Name:
Position:
Sex:
Birthdate and Age:
Birthplace:
Parents' Names and Ranks:
Siblings:
Significant others:
Physical Description:
Timeline:
Background:
Personality:
Pets:
DRAGONRIDERS
Name:
Color:
Size:
Where and When Impressed:
Sire/Dam:
Physical Appearance:
Personality:
Abilities:
Relationships:
CRAFTERS
Craft:
Specialty:
Rank:
Masters:
HOLDERS
Hold:
Size:
Rank:
OTHERS
Title:
Other:
NPCS
SOURCEBOOK BLURB: (Must fill out for PC and NPC characters)
Persona, Gender-Age; H=color/style E=color/shape Ht=how tall? Bld=body shape?
Brief description of personality and appearance. (PC/NPC-Member name, member@emailaddress.com )
SUPPORT REQUIREMENTS FOR RANKING PERSONAS
Most of the
requirements for each rank aren't really in the member's control. After
all, you can't force someone to ask you to collaborate, you can't force someone
to want to use your personas, and you can't force someone to write emails that
you must respond to.
However,
if someone does ask you to collaborate, if it's a story that you can see your
personas participating in, then please do. If someone wants to use your
personas in a story for a bit part, then let them. You WILL have final
approval of that use, of course. And if someone does send you an email
that concerns your persona, or your rank, please do answer. It's only
polite.
The Hold
and Hall Information Documents will soon be available from the Files section of
each mailing list. Please fill these out so that we all know a bit about
your Hold and Hall.
Weyrwoman:
One story
per issue
Two reports
per year
Active in
email Role Plays
Willingness
to participate in collaborations
Willing to
be used in others stories without actually writing
Answer
emails directed at the Weyrwoman (RP and non-RP)
Weyrleader:
Answer
emails directed at the Weyrleader (RP and non-RP)
See
Bronzerider Support Requirements
Lord/Lady Holders:
One story
per issue
Two reports per year
Active in email Role Plays
Willingness to participate in collaborations
Willing to be used in others stories without actually writing
Answer emails directed at the Lord/Lady (RP and non-RP)
Creation and upkeeping of a Hold Information Document
MasterCrafters: (heads of their Halls on the
Southern Continent)
One story
per issue
Two reports per year
Active in email Role Plays
Willingness to participate in collaborations
Willing to be used in others stories without actually writing
Willing to collaborate with writers from other Weyrs on the Southern
Continent.
Answer emails directed at the MasterCrafter (RP and non-RP)
Creation and upkeeping of a Hall Information Document
Goldriders:
One story
per issue
Active in email Role Plays
Willingness to participate in collaborations
Willing to be used in others stories without actually writing
Answer all emails directed at goldriders (non-RP and RP)
Wingleaders:
One story
per year
Two reports per year
Willingness to participate in collaborations
Willing to be used in others stories without actually writing
Answer all emails directed at Wingleaders (non-RP and RP)
Bronzeriders:
One story
per year
Willingness to participate in collaborations
Answer all emails directed at bronzeriders (non-RP and RP)
Headwoman:
One story
per year
Two reports per year
Willingness to participate in collaborations
Willing to be used in others stories without actually writing
Answer all emails directed at the Headwoman (non-RP and RP)
Steward:
One story
per year
Two reports per year
Willingness to participate in collaborations
Willing to be used in others stories without actually writing
Answer all emails directed at the Steward (non-RP and RP)
Weyrcrafter/Holdcrafters:
(the
heads of their crafts within the Weyr or Hold)
One story
per year
Two reports per year:
Willingness to participate in collaborations
Willing to be used in others stories without actually writing
Answer all emails directed at the Weyr/Holdcrafter (non-RP and RP)
Master-ranked crafters:
One story
per year
Willingness to participate in collaborations
Willing to be used in others stories without actually writing
Minor Holders
One story
per year
One report per year
Willingness to participate in collaborations
Willing to be used in others stories without actually writing
Answer emails directed at the Holder (RP and non-RP)
Creation and upkeeping of a Hold Information Document
Cotholders
One report
per year
Willingness to participate in collaborations
Willing to be used in others stories without actually writing
Answer emails directed at the Cotholder (RP and non-RP)
Creation and upkeeping of a Hold Information Document
