What To Do With Your Ranker?
These are just helpful suggestions for roleplaying with your rankers, as well as some additional info about how they are treated/thought of at Fort.
Hear All Dragons (HAD): They are treated as rare and valuable tools, kept under constant, more or less discrete surveillance by agents of the Weyrleader and Weyrwoman as soon as they are discovered.
Suggestions for posts: Speaking with dragons, Calming frightened dragons, Finding information from dragons and using it (whether for good or bad -your choice!), Telling dragons things, Spying on riders through their dragons
Weyrwoman: The Weyrwoman of Fort touts herself as the true power in the Weyr, but how much power does she truly wield? To what extent is she trapped by the same Tradition which traps the lower orders?
Weyrleader: The Weyrwoman prefers to think of the Weyrleader as her toy or tool, but to what extent this is true depends on the Weyrleader. He is absolute ruler of all things related to Threadfall, and final say in the disciplining of dragonriders.
Weyrleader/Weyrwoman Suggestions for posts: Paperwork, Meeting new riders, Meeting with Wingleaders and 2nds Weyrleader Training, Fighting Thread, Weyr announcements, Interfering with trouble, Dealing with the Headwoman/Lower Caverns stuff (LC is Weyrwoman only)
Junior Weyrwomen: Junior goldriders, while technically having responsibilities and clout which place them as an important person in the Weyr, effectively rank below the senior bronzeriders. They are expected to sleep around less than greenriders, and can refuse a man's attentions, but are expected to submit to a bronzerider's direct orders, and to refuse his advances only with good reason. Brownriders, on the other hand, are to be dallied with only with discretion. Their dragons are not to _mate_ with browns, so their riders are not to form attachments openly. Brownriders are sometimes rewarded by sexual favors from a junior weyrwoman; others are controlled by that method. Older goldriders, trusted by the Weyrwoman, have more personal choice in this, as long as they remain discrete. Blue and greenriders are taboo, and no one really cares if a goldrider has relations with a nonrider. They must ward off pregnancy at all costs; their dedication is to be to their dragon and the Weyr, not a child. If a girl is not strong enough to overcome this repression, she has no business being the Senior Weyrwoman, whose job above all is to see that the traditions of the Weyr, this included, is maintained. Goldriders, at their heart, are an oft-confusing paradox, creatures who are both woman and authority at once. They are a walking expression of the Madonna/whore complex.
Suggestions for posts: Keeping Records, Meeting with Weyrwoman, Showing some responsibility in dealing with problems within the Weyr, Showing classes around Clutches, And flights of course
Headwoman: The Headwoman is the real power to most of the Weyr's population. She is absolute ruler of the Lower Caverns, answerable only to the Weyrwoman, who rarely concerns herself with managing the nonriders. She may promote and demote workers, order supplies, negotiate with lower-ranked Crafters, and is of equal rank with the Candidatemaster in assigning chores and punishments to Candidates. Hers is a delicate balancing act between respecting and maintaining the status quo and keeping her workers safe and happy, all the while keeping the dragonriders supported.
Suggestions for posts: Organizing Lower Caverns, Ordering in supplies, Dealing with Weyrwoman, Discovering any shortages, Dealing with trouble among drudges and 'Brats
Weyrsecond: Often a yes-man with the talent of getting others to second that yes, the Weyrsecond makes sure that the Weyrleader's word is law. He will serve as the Weyrleader's senior Wingsecond. However, since he's not necessarily chosen for his leadership abilities, the more junior Wingsecond may be the one who takes care of the Wing duties. The Weyrsecond may be a former Weyrleader, but that is not guaranteed.
Wingleaders: ICly and OOCly, Wingleaders have a great deal of control over their riders. They may mete out punishments and rewards, suggest promotions, control the composition of their Wings, and run plots which affect the entire Wing, but not the Weyr as a whole.
Suggestions for posts: Meeting with Weyrleader to discuss worries, Watching Weyrling classes for future riders you want in your wing, Dealing with trouble from riders in your wing, Training, Meeting with Wing2nds
Weyrlingmaster: The Weyrlingmaster is in charge of overseeing the health and training of all Weyrling riders and dragons, as well as teaching classes himself. While not necessarily harsh, the character must be a stickler for rules. Else, he'd never get the appointment from the Weyrleader.
Candidatemaster: The candidatemaster is in charge of overseeing the health and training of all Candidates, as well as coordinating all Searchriders. He must certify that all Candidates presented at a Hatching are mentally and physically fit to become dragonriders. His authority begins the moment a Candidate sets foot in the Weyr and ends at the moment of Impression.
WeyrlingMaster/CandidateMaster Suggestions for posts: RPed lessons, Meetings with Assistants, Training the Weyrling Wing, Meeting with new Candidates/Weyrlings, Assigning punishment duties to Bad Weyrlings/Candidates and investigating Trouble
Hear All Firelizards/Whers (HAF, HAW): There's a limit of one each in the Weyr, and just like the HAD’s when we're ready to have one in the game, we'll put out a call for character sheets. They're a lesser rank than HAD, and may be goldriders. They will require a good character sheet and a short (300 words minimum) essay on what you plan to do with their powers. Yes, an essay. Told you you're nuts.
Assistant Headwomen/Stewards: These serve as section heads, overseeing such places as the laundry, kitchen, creche, and storage areas. They may have individual titles such as "Chief Laundress" or "Creche Mother" rather than "Headwoman." Women are more common in the position than men, since most of what they do is "woman's work." They have the same powers in their areas as Wingleaders do in their Wings.
Wingseconds: There are two Wingseconds per Wing. Though officially of the same rank, one has effective seniority.
Suggestions for posts: Helping Wingleader in duties, Going to Wingleader with any worries about the Wing, Spotting trouble in Threadfall, Picking up on trouble within the wing
Assistant Weyrlingmasters (AWLMs): The number of these is at the discretion of the current Weyrlingmaster. OOCly, talk to him or her and find out if he or she is taking assistants.
Assistant Candidatemaster (ACM): They are deputies, teaching individual classes, tutoring, and basically doing what the Candidatemaster assigns.
Special note: We will be accepting one nonriding female assistant Candidatemaster to serve as a mothering figure for the Candidates and to ensure the Female candidates learn how to be proper women. She will have rank as long as she does not get "uppity" and makes sure the girls act proper at all times.
Assistant WeyrlingMasters and CandidateMasters Suggestions for posts: RPing lessons with your class, Spotting trouble in your class, Discussing young dragons growth development with Healers, Discussing classes learning with Harpers
Bronzerider: Bronzes are in automatic positions of authority in Fort Weyr, revered by just about everyone, feared by a more or less equal number. Regardless of their true sexual orientation, they must appear heterosexual, and are expected to disdain male greenriders above all. They are to be attentive and courtly to all goldriders, though their unofficial clout is often greater than that of the junior golds. After all, at the end of the day, a goldrider is still a woman. A younger bronzerider is waiting to acquire rank; an older bronzerider without rank has made enemies of the wrong people.
Suggestions for posts: Showing aspects of a bronzeriders personality within the Weyr - (arrogance, responsibility for others and situations that show either)
Journeyman Healers: These, as well as Journeyman Harpers, are restricted mainly because they are a popular character type, but are needed for the functioning of the Weyr so we would like them to be active. They may be male or female, though females will be less trusted by their patients, more rare, and probably given nearly as hard a time as a female greenrider. We'll take as many Dragonhealers as we can get.
Suggestions for posts: Being on the scene in an emergency, Talking to people in the Infirmary, Checking the development of the Hatchlings.
Journeyman Harpers: Harpers must guard what they say, for the leaders of the Weyr have the right to turn them out if they "encourage unsavory behavior and rebellion."
Suggestions for posts: Teaching WeyrBrats, Teaching Candies, Teaching Weyrlings, Discussing Candies and Weyrlings progress with WeyrlingMasters, Making sure everything in the Weyr is done fairly and JUSTLY (yeah right), Harping at Gathers
Gold weyrling: Gold weyrlings are housed in comparatively luxurious rooms, and given special classes, attending only the basic ones with their clutchmates. Their bronze classmates-- and older bronzeriders-- are expected to court them, but to maintain a "hands off" policy until the gold's first mating flight. Anyone found threatening a gold weyrling will be severely punished.
Bronze weyrling: They will be looked to as role models and leaders of their class. They will be encouraged to help and monitor the blue and green riders, but not to form friendships with them. They should pay court to any gold Weyrlings, but should not attempt to form a relationship.
Suggestions for posts: Showing aspects of a bronzeriders personality within the Weyr - (arrogance, responsibility for others and situations that show either)
Female blue and greenriders: As the female rider of a fighting dragon, your character will be seen as different, even freakish. This is worse for female blueriders than greenriders-- the greenriders are at least seen as performing their "proper duty" of spreading their legs every so often. With the exception of the Weyrwoman, all female riders, to varying extents, can be controlled by bronze riders. Bronzeriders are the elite. Goldriders are pretty tools, except for the Weyrwoman. Greenriders are for sex, and blueriders are avoided like the plague! Female blueriders are considered worse actually because, after all, they need to think of themselves as men to impress blue anyway. So, although they are considered worse than the plague, that doesn't prevent them from being accosted like female greenriders and other women, in fact it's more likely that they would be taken as a man would be, because they aren't even considered to be women with impressing blue, or other males might try and 'fix' those female blueriders. But not only are they accosted, they are probably more verbally and physically abused than other women, even by male green and blue riders, or by *female* greenriders who feel jealous that female blueriders don't get as much in the way of negative sexual attention. Many Wingleaders try to exclude female riders from their Wings, on the assumption that they will be a hazard in Fall.
Wher handlers: Wher handlers are trained professionals who care for and command the whers that guard the Weyr and holds. They must be strong of will and strong enough of body to handle the massive beasts. They are never dragonriders, and they are never bonded with less than three Turns experience dealing with whers.They may be cross-crafters from such Crafts as Beasthealing, Herding, or Dragonhealing.
Firelizard/Wher: While only rankers are allowed to have a gold flit or wher, that doesn't mean that lessers and non ranking characters who managed to get an flit or wher egg that held a bronze or brown flit or wher are off the hook, as it is quite possible that those characters might be dragged over the coals by rankers who think that *they* deserved the bronze or brown flit or wher more. However, as long as said writer is willing to have that played out we don't see why your character would be restricted from having one of those color flits or whers. Please note that the posts must involve the firelizard, not just a note that the firelizard was sitting on his owner's shoulder while something happened.
Suggestions for posts: Post could the flit/wher and not just be focused on the owner of it. They protect their owners, flits sometimes steal things, they need training, oiling, feeding, exercising... Get them INVOLVED! However a post where they are INVOLVED with their owners or other pets IS allowed - for instance flits playing... four flits could share a post.
Hear All Dragons (HAD): They are treated as rare and valuable tools, kept under constant, more or less discrete surveillance by agents of the Weyrleader and Weyrwoman as soon as they are discovered.
Suggestions for posts: Speaking with dragons, Calming frightened dragons, Finding information from dragons and using it (whether for good or bad -your choice!), Telling dragons things, Spying on riders through their dragons
Weyrwoman: The Weyrwoman of Fort touts herself as the true power in the Weyr, but how much power does she truly wield? To what extent is she trapped by the same Tradition which traps the lower orders?
Weyrleader: The Weyrwoman prefers to think of the Weyrleader as her toy or tool, but to what extent this is true depends on the Weyrleader. He is absolute ruler of all things related to Threadfall, and final say in the disciplining of dragonriders.
Weyrleader/Weyrwoman Suggestions for posts: Paperwork, Meeting new riders, Meeting with Wingleaders and 2nds Weyrleader Training, Fighting Thread, Weyr announcements, Interfering with trouble, Dealing with the Headwoman/Lower Caverns stuff (LC is Weyrwoman only)
Junior Weyrwomen: Junior goldriders, while technically having responsibilities and clout which place them as an important person in the Weyr, effectively rank below the senior bronzeriders. They are expected to sleep around less than greenriders, and can refuse a man's attentions, but are expected to submit to a bronzerider's direct orders, and to refuse his advances only with good reason. Brownriders, on the other hand, are to be dallied with only with discretion. Their dragons are not to _mate_ with browns, so their riders are not to form attachments openly. Brownriders are sometimes rewarded by sexual favors from a junior weyrwoman; others are controlled by that method. Older goldriders, trusted by the Weyrwoman, have more personal choice in this, as long as they remain discrete. Blue and greenriders are taboo, and no one really cares if a goldrider has relations with a nonrider. They must ward off pregnancy at all costs; their dedication is to be to their dragon and the Weyr, not a child. If a girl is not strong enough to overcome this repression, she has no business being the Senior Weyrwoman, whose job above all is to see that the traditions of the Weyr, this included, is maintained. Goldriders, at their heart, are an oft-confusing paradox, creatures who are both woman and authority at once. They are a walking expression of the Madonna/whore complex.
Suggestions for posts: Keeping Records, Meeting with Weyrwoman, Showing some responsibility in dealing with problems within the Weyr, Showing classes around Clutches, And flights of course
Headwoman: The Headwoman is the real power to most of the Weyr's population. She is absolute ruler of the Lower Caverns, answerable only to the Weyrwoman, who rarely concerns herself with managing the nonriders. She may promote and demote workers, order supplies, negotiate with lower-ranked Crafters, and is of equal rank with the Candidatemaster in assigning chores and punishments to Candidates. Hers is a delicate balancing act between respecting and maintaining the status quo and keeping her workers safe and happy, all the while keeping the dragonriders supported.
Suggestions for posts: Organizing Lower Caverns, Ordering in supplies, Dealing with Weyrwoman, Discovering any shortages, Dealing with trouble among drudges and 'Brats
Weyrsecond: Often a yes-man with the talent of getting others to second that yes, the Weyrsecond makes sure that the Weyrleader's word is law. He will serve as the Weyrleader's senior Wingsecond. However, since he's not necessarily chosen for his leadership abilities, the more junior Wingsecond may be the one who takes care of the Wing duties. The Weyrsecond may be a former Weyrleader, but that is not guaranteed.
Wingleaders: ICly and OOCly, Wingleaders have a great deal of control over their riders. They may mete out punishments and rewards, suggest promotions, control the composition of their Wings, and run plots which affect the entire Wing, but not the Weyr as a whole.
Suggestions for posts: Meeting with Weyrleader to discuss worries, Watching Weyrling classes for future riders you want in your wing, Dealing with trouble from riders in your wing, Training, Meeting with Wing2nds
Weyrlingmaster: The Weyrlingmaster is in charge of overseeing the health and training of all Weyrling riders and dragons, as well as teaching classes himself. While not necessarily harsh, the character must be a stickler for rules. Else, he'd never get the appointment from the Weyrleader.
Candidatemaster: The candidatemaster is in charge of overseeing the health and training of all Candidates, as well as coordinating all Searchriders. He must certify that all Candidates presented at a Hatching are mentally and physically fit to become dragonriders. His authority begins the moment a Candidate sets foot in the Weyr and ends at the moment of Impression.
WeyrlingMaster/CandidateMaster Suggestions for posts: RPed lessons, Meetings with Assistants, Training the Weyrling Wing, Meeting with new Candidates/Weyrlings, Assigning punishment duties to Bad Weyrlings/Candidates and investigating Trouble
Hear All Firelizards/Whers (HAF, HAW): There's a limit of one each in the Weyr, and just like the HAD’s when we're ready to have one in the game, we'll put out a call for character sheets. They're a lesser rank than HAD, and may be goldriders. They will require a good character sheet and a short (300 words minimum) essay on what you plan to do with their powers. Yes, an essay. Told you you're nuts.
Assistant Headwomen/Stewards: These serve as section heads, overseeing such places as the laundry, kitchen, creche, and storage areas. They may have individual titles such as "Chief Laundress" or "Creche Mother" rather than "Headwoman." Women are more common in the position than men, since most of what they do is "woman's work." They have the same powers in their areas as Wingleaders do in their Wings.
Wingseconds: There are two Wingseconds per Wing. Though officially of the same rank, one has effective seniority.
Suggestions for posts: Helping Wingleader in duties, Going to Wingleader with any worries about the Wing, Spotting trouble in Threadfall, Picking up on trouble within the wing
Assistant Weyrlingmasters (AWLMs): The number of these is at the discretion of the current Weyrlingmaster. OOCly, talk to him or her and find out if he or she is taking assistants.
Assistant Candidatemaster (ACM): They are deputies, teaching individual classes, tutoring, and basically doing what the Candidatemaster assigns.
Special note: We will be accepting one nonriding female assistant Candidatemaster to serve as a mothering figure for the Candidates and to ensure the Female candidates learn how to be proper women. She will have rank as long as she does not get "uppity" and makes sure the girls act proper at all times.
Assistant WeyrlingMasters and CandidateMasters Suggestions for posts: RPing lessons with your class, Spotting trouble in your class, Discussing young dragons growth development with Healers, Discussing classes learning with Harpers
Bronzerider: Bronzes are in automatic positions of authority in Fort Weyr, revered by just about everyone, feared by a more or less equal number. Regardless of their true sexual orientation, they must appear heterosexual, and are expected to disdain male greenriders above all. They are to be attentive and courtly to all goldriders, though their unofficial clout is often greater than that of the junior golds. After all, at the end of the day, a goldrider is still a woman. A younger bronzerider is waiting to acquire rank; an older bronzerider without rank has made enemies of the wrong people.
Suggestions for posts: Showing aspects of a bronzeriders personality within the Weyr - (arrogance, responsibility for others and situations that show either)
Journeyman Healers: These, as well as Journeyman Harpers, are restricted mainly because they are a popular character type, but are needed for the functioning of the Weyr so we would like them to be active. They may be male or female, though females will be less trusted by their patients, more rare, and probably given nearly as hard a time as a female greenrider. We'll take as many Dragonhealers as we can get.
Suggestions for posts: Being on the scene in an emergency, Talking to people in the Infirmary, Checking the development of the Hatchlings.
Journeyman Harpers: Harpers must guard what they say, for the leaders of the Weyr have the right to turn them out if they "encourage unsavory behavior and rebellion."
Suggestions for posts: Teaching WeyrBrats, Teaching Candies, Teaching Weyrlings, Discussing Candies and Weyrlings progress with WeyrlingMasters, Making sure everything in the Weyr is done fairly and JUSTLY (yeah right), Harping at Gathers
Gold weyrling: Gold weyrlings are housed in comparatively luxurious rooms, and given special classes, attending only the basic ones with their clutchmates. Their bronze classmates-- and older bronzeriders-- are expected to court them, but to maintain a "hands off" policy until the gold's first mating flight. Anyone found threatening a gold weyrling will be severely punished.
Bronze weyrling: They will be looked to as role models and leaders of their class. They will be encouraged to help and monitor the blue and green riders, but not to form friendships with them. They should pay court to any gold Weyrlings, but should not attempt to form a relationship.
Suggestions for posts: Showing aspects of a bronzeriders personality within the Weyr - (arrogance, responsibility for others and situations that show either)
Female blue and greenriders: As the female rider of a fighting dragon, your character will be seen as different, even freakish. This is worse for female blueriders than greenriders-- the greenriders are at least seen as performing their "proper duty" of spreading their legs every so often. With the exception of the Weyrwoman, all female riders, to varying extents, can be controlled by bronze riders. Bronzeriders are the elite. Goldriders are pretty tools, except for the Weyrwoman. Greenriders are for sex, and blueriders are avoided like the plague! Female blueriders are considered worse actually because, after all, they need to think of themselves as men to impress blue anyway. So, although they are considered worse than the plague, that doesn't prevent them from being accosted like female greenriders and other women, in fact it's more likely that they would be taken as a man would be, because they aren't even considered to be women with impressing blue, or other males might try and 'fix' those female blueriders. But not only are they accosted, they are probably more verbally and physically abused than other women, even by male green and blue riders, or by *female* greenriders who feel jealous that female blueriders don't get as much in the way of negative sexual attention. Many Wingleaders try to exclude female riders from their Wings, on the assumption that they will be a hazard in Fall.
Wher handlers: Wher handlers are trained professionals who care for and command the whers that guard the Weyr and holds. They must be strong of will and strong enough of body to handle the massive beasts. They are never dragonriders, and they are never bonded with less than three Turns experience dealing with whers.They may be cross-crafters from such Crafts as Beasthealing, Herding, or Dragonhealing.
Firelizard/Wher: While only rankers are allowed to have a gold flit or wher, that doesn't mean that lessers and non ranking characters who managed to get an flit or wher egg that held a bronze or brown flit or wher are off the hook, as it is quite possible that those characters might be dragged over the coals by rankers who think that *they* deserved the bronze or brown flit or wher more. However, as long as said writer is willing to have that played out we don't see why your character would be restricted from having one of those color flits or whers. Please note that the posts must involve the firelizard, not just a note that the firelizard was sitting on his owner's shoulder while something happened.
Suggestions for posts: Post could the flit/wher and not just be focused on the owner of it. They protect their owners, flits sometimes steal things, they need training, oiling, feeding, exercising... Get them INVOLVED! However a post where they are INVOLVED with their owners or other pets IS allowed - for instance flits playing... four flits could share a post.