Crafthalls and You
Like I said in the Introduction to Pern, crafthalls are basically like trade schools, though you'll often find them likened to guilds as well. There are, essentially, two kinds of crafts: Hall-crafts and Hold-crafts. The distinction stems mainly from the necessity of the craft and how much specialization it requires. Farmercraft, Cooking or Bakercraft, and Beastcraft are all examples of Hall-crafts. Every Hold would have a crafthall dedicated to these crafts because the livelihood of the Hold depends very heavily on them. Minercraft, Smithcraft, and Healercraft would be example of Hall-crafts, since they require a very specific environment in order to train their apprentices.
Each crafthall – called Minor crafthalls – is under the jurisdiction of a master in that craft. This is an elected position. While there are crafthalls in every Hold, each craft has what's called a Major Crafthall, which is the centre of all knowledge of that craft. It's here that the Mastercraftsman will operate from, but we'll get into ranks a little later. The location of each Major Crafthall can be found here if you're interested in it.
Crafthalls are somewhat independent entities, despite the fact that they're often in a Hold. They have their own social structure and rankings, which will now be discussed. There are three major ranks for craftsmen and women: apprentice, journeyman/woman and craftmaster. The forth rank, Mastercraftsman, it not something that the average person can attain, so it will not be discussed in any great detail. Apprentices may begin their training as early as eight or nine turns old but for most crafts they'd probably take them around twelve to sixteen turns old. They are instructed by the masters of their craft for a period of about five to seven turns. They do not earn a wage during this time, and at the end of their training they must pass an oral and a practical exam. Once they have passed both exams they "walk the tables" and become journeymen/women.
Journeymen/women still receive instruction from the masters, however they are allowed to travel (hence the name). They are frequently assigned posts in Holds where their abilities can be put to the test. Most people do not go beyond journeyman/woman rank in their craft, though they may achieve Sr. Journeyman/women if they prove themselves to be proficient. To those who are talented enough to go beyond, they may reach the rank of Craftmaster, and they spend most of their time instructing others. Some of them may be elected as masters at a particular hall, where they ensure the smooth running of the hall. The absolute highest rank is Mastercraftsman, who is the master of the entire craft and all of its halls. He (or she) is basically in charge of everything.
Now that you understand the general idea of Crafthalls, it's time to move onto specific crafts. For each craft I will provide a link to a site which basically quotes word for word from The Dragon lover's Guide to Pern, so it is a good resource. It was compiled for an RPG, so you don't have to look at any of the cross-craft stuff or the information on the current Master, since it doesn't apply to AtWoP. However take a look at the recommended link section! I won't list them on here, but if the links work they're generally pretty good. I will also provide links to sites that I think have excellent detailed information about the craft.
Bakercraft
Major Hall: Unlisted
From DLG
Apprentice Classes: Baking
Apprentice Classes: Cooking
Sample Apprentice Schedule
Bakercraft (with good food ideas)
Beastcraft
Major Hall: Keroon
Specialties: Herder, healer
From DLG
Animals on Pern
Detailed Domestic Animal Care
Example Schedules
More Info*
* Please disregard the section on domesticated felines. Whether or not this is canon is still up for debate.
Dolphin Craft
Major Hall: Unlisted (I'm going to assume it's Tillek)
Dolphincraft Complied Info
More Complied Info
* Be aware with Dolphin Craft that any information gained from AVIAS does not apply for AtWoP. Dolphin craft is just beginning, so some of this information could be more advanced than what has been discovered by the people in the AtWoP verse
Farmer Craft
Major Hold: Keroon
From DLG
Plants of Pern
(As you can see, nobody really cares about the Farmers XD)
Fisher Craft (May also be referred to as Seacraft)
Major Hall: Tillek
Specialties: Fisher, seacrafter
From DLG
(Same for Fishers XD)
Harper Craft
Major Hall: Fort
Specialties: Archivist, musician, artist
From DLG
Apprentice Life
Artists
Instruments
Journeyman Life
Musical Terms
Specializations for Harpers
Healer Craft
Major Hall: Fort
Specialties: Dragon healing
From DLG
Apprentice Healer Guide*
Basic Healer's FAQ
Herbs
Diseases
Journeyman Healer
Basic Information
Dragonhealing
Plants of Pern
* Please, please read this if you want an Apprentice Healer! Remember that apprentices are just that. They do not diagnose or treat patients unless they are under supervision.
Mine Craft
Major Hall: Crom
From DLG
Specializations
Runner Craft
Major Hall: Unlisted; probably because there are runner stations all over Pern
Runner Rates
Stations
Compiled Info
*I would also recommend the short story, Runner of Pern for very good insight into this Craft
Smith Craft
Major Hall: Telgar
Specialties: Glass smith (major hold: Ista), star smith, metal smith, stone smith
From DLG (on smithing)
From DLG (on star smiths)
Compilation of Smith Info
Sample Apprentice Schedule
Tanner Craft
Major Hall: Igen
From DLG
Apprenticeship
Journeyman
Common Tanning Techniques
Vintner Craft
Major Hall: Benden
From DLG
Beer
Wine
Sample Harvest Calendar
Weaver Craft
Major Hall: Southern Boll
From DLG
Common Fibres
Wood Craft
Major Hall: Unlisted
From DLG
General Woodcraft info
Life at the Woodcraft Hall
Tools of Woodcraft
Final Notes: Please remember that the links provided are, for the most part, designed for the RPG they were written for. Some of their information may be slightly incorrect for AtWoP verse. When in doubt, please ask the staff! We will be happy to answer your questions.
