Writing Guidelines

Cascade Writing Guidelines
By Lissa Roan

These are just guidelines that make role playing more pleasant for everyone, whether you are doing D&D, live action, or fanfic like us.

1. This is the golden rule of roleplaying, so if you do not follow any other rule, be sure to follow this one: Don't use other people's characters without asking them! If you need someone's character for a story- ask them first! Even if it is just a walk on part- it's better to be safe than sorry.

2. Try to avoid meta-gaming. Meta-gaming is when someone has told you something about their character that your character should not know, and suddenly your character knows this piece of information. This is most common when developing story lines or discussing your character with someone else. A piece of information gets dropped and suddenly it's common knowledge. And that makes it no fun- you suddenly have omnipotent characters who respond to everything perfectly. Again, if you aren't sure that your character would know something about another character, ask the other player.

3. There are people who don't like each other. It's a fact. This translates into two guidelines:

a. If you are writing two characters who don't like each other, it's a really good idea to check with and warn the other person first that your character hates theirs for some reason. It helps people to differentiate between real life and character life. If your character does not like someone (or, for that matter, does like someone), be sure it is in character for that to happen.

b. If you decide you don't like someone you are writing with, don't take it out on their characters where we all can see it. Please! Just avoid writing with that person. It makes for a much less hostile environment in the Weyr. Hopefully we won't have to deal with this issue, especially being an offline weyr. But it's better to be prepared.

a. Senior queen. The only person at Cascade allowed to argue with the senior queen is Phedre. And only at her own risk.
b. The junior queens, in ranking order (Weyrwoman's Second gold first, youngest weyrling gold last).
c. The retired queens. This means Tolorth. Translation- the gold dragons are just not good characters to fight with. Frankly, no dragon would, and no human would hear them often enough to know their personality, with the notable exception of their riders.
d. Weyrwoman and Weyrleader, with the Weyrwoman above the Weyrleader. After all, she is the one who stays in her position... The only exception is with the wings. The Weyrleader has final say in the sky.
e. Weyrwoman's Second and Weyrleader's Second- again, goldrider outranks the bronzerider.
f. All other goldriders, in ranking order. Retired queens are the lowest.
g. Wingleader/Weyrlingmaster/Master of a craft/Weyr Headwoman/Lord and Lady Holder- All Wingleaders have the same rank, all Craftmasters have the same rank.
h. Wingsecond/Weyrlingmaster's Second/Craftmaster's Second/Weyrheadwoman's Second/Crafthall or Hold Headwoman
i. Bronze riders (but not bronze dragons!)/ Master crafters/Minor Holders
j. Wingriders/journeyman crafters/holders
k. Weyrlings/Apprentices/Candidates/Drudges. Frankly, these people have no rank

Traders have their own rank that doesn't really fit in with this structure. Two major points here:

i. Rank is very respected on Pern. You are allowed to disagree with someone of a higher rank- but you'd better do it politely or be prepared to take a suitable punishment. For example, an apprentice is not going to tell the Weyrwoman where she can go...
ii. These are writing ranks. They in no way allow their player to have authority over other player. This doesn't seem to be a problem, but it is better to state that now rather than later.

We don't always have enough PCs to fill out every role you might need, so we create NPCs. NPCs are non-playing characters that can be used in certain situations.

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