From: Edward.L.Wallace@dartmouth.edu (Edward L. Wallace)
Newsgroups: alt.fan.pern,rec.games.mud.tiny
Subject: Re: Rider Distribution
Date: 27 Jan 93 04:42:20 GMT
 <C1Fqzp.CLG@andy>  <1993Jan26.010408.22286@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu>
Organization: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
X-Posted-From: InterNews1.0a5@newshost.dartmouth.edu

I've often wondered about similar issues myself.  Part of the problem
is that on some places riders, and the 'being a rider' *privelege* (not
the heavy sarcasm here) is seen as the ultimate goal.  Naturally, golds
are *better* than greens, etc. etc. etc.

Without exception, this creates unneeded competition between players
_and_ characters and forces way too much emphasis on the Weyrs when any
good recreation of Pern should involve Crafts and Holds heavily.

Now, I'm feeling longwinded, so bear with me.  These aren't in any
particular order and I lay no claims to their relevance about anything
- they are random thoughts coursing through my head...

*  Just what is it that holders can *do*.  A lot of people don't see
roleplaying as something to _do_ (and in my opinion they are missing
out on the best part of a Pern MUD).  The excitment isn't in staying at
your hold and doing mindless chores day in and day out... and it seems
implausible for all the Holders of all the Holds to suddenly be on
vacation and wandering about Pern to 'see the sights'.  Then again,
perhaps the Holder Players represent only a very insignificant portion
of the entire Holder population and this wandering about could be
thought of as typical.

*  Crafters Craft.  That's pretty easy.  

*  Should the attempt be made to represent _all_ of Pern, I mean, every
hold, etc. etc.?  Part of the roleplaying excitement is interacting
with other people -- if everyone is spread around a variety of
different locales... how plausible is it that you will run into
someone?  

*  Should the wizards be 'Janitors' and leave the 'leadership' to the
people of 'In Character' responsibility?  Personally, I think wizards
often spend too much time (as wizards) tending to too many details.  I
know I did (perhaps, however, I'm just derranged).  It's all too easy
to totally blow off real roleplaying, and in character responsibilities
for all that wiz-work.  Do 'untouchable' wizards really accurately
portray the MUD they run?  Do they represent it?  Should they?  What
role?

*  How do you go about reinforcing the idea that there's more to Pern
than getting an object you can @set puppet and fly around on?

*  I've discussed various ideas about Impression with various people. 
One person, whose opinion I hold very highly, discussed 'fandom'.  I
don't know enough about it to discuss it -- perhaps someone more
experienced can elaborate?

*  Another method:

What about NPC golds and bronzes?  Basically people 'earn' (is this the
proper word) the right to be a part of a Flight, handle the Impression,
etc. etc. etc.  The true population of a Weyr resides in the 'colored'
(I don't like that designation, cuz they are _all_ colored) dragons. 
The person in charge of the Weyr essentially, is the Weyrsecond.  If
you allow women an equal opportunity to Impress any color (Which most
enlighted MUDs do these days), then anyone, male or female, who is
qualified, can lead a Weyr.  This person would be aided by the
wingleaders/seconds and weyrlingmaster.

Could that work?  Would it be _more_ political?


Basically -- how does one keep a Pern MUD from being some assinine
competition amoung people for 'the best' dragons and ensure it's
continued functioning as a _roleplaying_ mud.  Let's face it, we are
supposed to be there for roleplaying.. some OOC friendships and
comraderie.. and fun.. Why waste the time and energy being all
political minded and bitching about who gets what?  That isn't what
pern is about.  Roleplaying Pern is about recreating the environment,
not reliving the novels.. All arguments to the effect of: We should be
rider-oriented because the books are should be forwarded to
/dev/stupid.  I don't accept _imitation_ as a valid RULE of
roleplaying.  Roleplaying is about creativity.

Please keep the flames down to luke warm.  I'm just in 'random thought'
mode, and none of these have been _thought out_.  It'd be nice to see
some discussion tho'.

F'ryx, rider of green Impth @ PernMUSH.
Xref: sparky alt.fan.pern:2687 rec.games.mud.tiny:1578