Limited Availability Characters

[Skyfire]

The following are unique or limited characters that are currently available. Applications for these characters should generally be very well thought-out (not necessarily long) and show a good understanding of the setting. It may be necessary for character profiles for these positions to 'mesh' with other already-existing profiles. If you have questions about what you should be reading (in addition to the Setting and Information files) in order to apply for one of these characters, just ask!

Blood

Sanwain's Six: Guardsmen and attendants to the regent, these men (ages 20 to 30) are, at a minimum, apparently utterly loyal to the regent. As guards, they are physically capable of defending the regent's life should such a thing be necessary; as part of the regent's innermost court, they are intellectually and socially capable of serving as companions and guests in a wide variety of social situations. They may be married, courting, or unattached. They may be written as having become friends with the regent (or some other member of his innermost court), or as keeping a professional distance, at the player's discretion. Three of six remaining: two from house Telgar and one of the weyrleader's house (Maclaren). See Corinne, Kessler, and Olster.

Lords of nearby holds: Two remaining (see the map). We have a couple of Ladies Holder already, so the last two positions of neighboring holds by the capital are reserved for people who want to play Lords Holder.


Harpers and Scholars

Masterharper: The masterharper (title distinguished from master harpers or "harper masters") oversees the instruction and activities, as well as the political aspects, of the harpers of Pern. He may cooperate with his subordinate the Masterscholar, or their working relationship may be more... antagonistic. As the expert of experts where law and politics is concerned, he is occasionally asked to settle disputes among the lords, regarding the regent, or at the weyr; he is well within his rights to send other harpers to answer such requests, however, and may do so with impunity, choosing only matters of interest with which to concern himself. He resides at the harper halls in the capital.

Masterscholar: Technically subordinate to the Masterharper, the Masterscholar oversees the instruction and activities of the scholars of Pern. He may or may not serve as a major part of any of the 'secret society' aspects of the scholars, may or may not have ties to the Resistance, and may believe the Skyfire and other historic mysteries to have been acts of a supreme being or ascribe to a more practical view - but regardless of his stance on such topics, he is aware of their importance to the masters he leads and keeps tabs on the currents of the scholars' internal politics. He resides in the scholar halls in the capital.

Rectors: The utmost rank of master scholars. Six total, each with his own specialty area of study (see The Scholars for information on the six areas and which are already played). A Rector's area of study is not the most important aspect of the character (think of his beliefs about mysterious ancient and historic events, and position on the Resistance, the Faith, and the oligarchy), but it does relate to the kind of journeymen he is likely to instruct. His area of study is also likely to be the only distinguishing detail about his rank that non-scholars and non-harpers really understand. Rectors may be female (please take the special challenges a woman may meet on her way to such a post into account in writing her profile). Four remaining (current studies and modern history taken).


The Weyr

Wingleaders: Bronzeriders all, the wingleaders each oversee a section of the weyr's fighting forces (all riding pairs of fighting age except the gold(s)). Usually very close friends or at least sharing deep mutual respect with the weyrleader, the wingleaders are chosen by the weyrleader partly for their leadership ability among the forces and partly because he believes they will protect his right to the weyrleader's rank. A wingleader who opposes his weyrleader in any public way, or whose close relationship with his weyrleader decays into distrust or antagonism, is likely to find himself stripped of rank and replaced. A more clever, secretive wingleader could have the power to topple his weyrleader if he so chose, and if his fellow wingleaders allowed it. Limit six.

Weyrlingmaster: Most likely to be a bronzerider or brownrider (blueriders and greenriders must have a profile that explains some kind of special reason for the rider being given the position), the weyrlingmaster oversees the instruction of the weyr's new weyrlings. The position is only meaningful when weyrlings exist (and currently none do), but the rider who was weyrlingmaster for the most recent clutch is presumed to become weyrlingmaster again with the next clutching unless there is some reason to think otherwise. Weyrlingmasters of history have been men, but a woman is not impossible. Applicants for this position will want to make sure they are willing and able to offer roleplay with weyrlings immediately after the hatching and through weyrlinghood; lectures and lessons are not necessary (they can be assumed to happen off-camera), but some roleplay is. It would also be good to be aware of the recent history of the position... Limit one.

Master of Travel: Of any dragon color or human gender, but always a well-respected, experienced rider, the master of travel oversees the weyr's services to holds and other locations requiring transport for VIPs. The position is of little political power, but great political importance, as the master of travel has repeated contact with holders and other important individuals requiring the weyr's travel services. The master of travel is selected by, and answers to, the weyrleader. Limit one.

Master of Trade: Similar to the master of travel, but concerned with the shipping of goods rather than people, the master of traderoutes also keeps tabs on trade caravan and wagon routes and may make reports of suspected tax evasion to the weyrleader for consideration by the harpers or regency. He (or she) will have a few riders who assist in this task as part of their ordinary duties, as all riders have work of varying kinds in addition to drills and exercises. Twice in history held by scholars instead of riders, this is one of two positions at the Weyr available to blooded non-riders (but riders are typically preferred).

Quartermaster: Typically held by a non-rider and often held by a bastard of blood who failed to impress at one or more hatchings, the quartermaster has command of the weyr's finances, supplies and housing. The steward and other common servants do most of the actual oversight of supplies, budgeting and so on, answering to the quartermaster. Most importantly, the quartermaster oversees the weyr's arsenal of combat weaponry: swords, spears, spearguns, flamethrowers and more intended for battling thread and insurgencies alike. The quartermaster is appointed by and answers to the weyrleader.

Riders from clutch of year 680: Four of the 23 weyrling pairs in this ill-fated clutch survived to become full riders. These applications need differ from other rider apps only in that they need to include information covering:
1) Why the weyrling pair didn't go to see the new world (see this vignette);
2) How the pair reacted to having survived and having lost so many of their cohort;
3) The pair's feelings or thoughts about A'zar being exiled over the tragedy.
Two of four remaining. See Tam and D'rus.