Welcome to Gaia! ::

Please Note: The experience from whatever roleplays you use to qualify for a rank will automatically be consumed by the rank. This means that the experience earned from any roleplays used to earn a rank gets used to "pay" for the rank and cannot be used to purchase prizes from the Experience Prize List.


Restrictions and Loss of Rank

Specifically for characters with the rank of Master, Wingsecond/third or Wingleader, you are expected to behave with the dignity and responsibility that accompanies your position. Any IC misbehavior will be dealt with swiftly by the Weryleader/woman (hopefully which you agreed to OOC!).

If your character disappears for longer than 6 months IRL, you risk losing your rank and having it passed on to someone else with the qualifications for the position. Should you lose your rank and return to Serrat later on, it will be up to you to figure out why/how your character lost his rank (though we'd be happy to help if you wanted!). Characters who lose their ranks will have to go through the requirements process all over again from scratch.


Table of Contents
1. Introduction and ToC
2. Availability of Ranks
3. Patroller/Watchdragon/Searchrider Requirements
4. Assistant Candidate Master/Assistant Weyrling Master Requirements
5. Wingsecond/Wingthird Requirements
6. Wingleader Requirements
7. Watch Wher/Patrol Wher/Mining Specialist Requirements
8. Master Handler Requirements
9. Journeyman Crafter Requirements
10. Master Crafter Requirements
11. Weyr's Head of Craft (All Crafts)
12. Headwoman/Steward Requirements
13. Applying for a Rank

Explanation
Patrollers are dragons who fly over the regions of a Weyr's territory that are not under the watchful eyes of Watchdragons. The job of a majority of Wingriders, Patrollers keep an eye out for trouble from above and below. Their shifts tend to be more infrequent than Watchdragons due to the large number of Patrollers available. Patrollers can generally expect to have duty shifts four to five times a week, but many choose to use their "off time" to pursue their original Crafts.


Requirements

• 5 completed roleplays where the character in question has at least 10 posts.
  
• 1 roleplay (may be part of the original 5) which indicates that the character in question is interested in pursuing this particular rank.
  
• Apply for rank change and be accepted.

IC Duties

• Complete one Patrolling roleplay every 6 IRL months.

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Explanation
Watchdragons are the guards of Pern. These individuals stand guard throughout a Weyr's given territory to keep an eye out for Thread or general trouble. Watchdragons are usually assigned to the Weyr or a Hold, but can be placed at distant outposts as well. Watchdragons rotate throughout the day to keep the watchful eyes fresh and all Watchdragons and their riders still reside at Serrat Weyr, no matter where their posting is. Watchdragons may be any color or temperament.


Requirements

• 5 completed roleplays where the character in question has at least 10 posts.
  
• 1 roleplay (may be part of the original 5) which indicates that the character in question is interested in pursuing this particular rank.
  
• Apply for rank change and be accepted.

IC Duties

• Complete one Watch roleplay every 6 IRL months.

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Explanation
Searchdragons and their riders are the pairs who visit Holds when there is a Clutch on the Sands and select likely Candidates to Stand for Impression. Due to their job requirements, Searchdragons tend to be very good at assessing peoples' strengths and weaknesses and their riders tend to be compassionate, if not outwardly friendly. Searchdragons are generally Blues, but can be any color.


Requirements

• 5 completed roleplays where the character in question has at least 10 posts.
  
• 1 roleplay (may be part of the original 5) which indicates that the character in question is interested in pursuing this particular rank.
  
• Apply for rank change and be accepted.

IC Duties

• One roleplayed Search for every two Clutches.
  
• One roleplay with a Candidate-level character.
  

Explanation
Wingseconds and Wingthirds perform the same basic functions in a Wing. They are there to support and carry out the instructions of the Wingleader, both in and out of Fall, and provide him or her with alternative opinions and ideas. They are additional leaders to help guide the Wing during drills and Threadfall. They are also the liasons between the wingriders and their Wingleader. If a wingrider has an issue that they feel uncomfortable bringing to the Wingleader (or the Wingleader is consistently unavailable), they can bring the issue to the Wingsecond or Wingthird to be addressed and the 'Second or 'Third can bring it to the Wingleader if they are not able to handle the issue themselves.

In the event of a Wingleader losing their life during Fall or being forced to leave due to injury or another extreme circumstance, the Wingsecond would take over the role of Wingleader and the Wingthird would become Wingsecond. In the rare instances where Wingleaders retire, if the Wingsecond is capable of being in charge instead of taking orders from a higher up (and they usually are), they are promoted to Wingleader, the Wingthird is promoted to Wingsecond, and the slot for Wingthird becomes open for Candidates.


Requirements

• 12 completed roleplays where the character in question has at least 10 posts.
  
• 1 roleplay (may be part of the original 12) which indicates that the character in question is interested in pursuing this particular rank. (This roleplay may be combined with one of the other specific roleplay requirements.)
  
• Minimum of 1 roleplay (may be part of the original 12) demonstrating the leadership qualities of the character in question.
  
• 2 roleplays (may be part of the original 12) with ranking NPCs or PCs, one of which MUST be a Wingleader, Wingsecond or the Weyrleader/Weyrwoman.
  
• Character must be of an acceptable age and experience level for the rank. Characters must be over the age of 20 and have a minimum of three Turns of full rider experience under their belts before they can apply for Wingsecond or Wingthird.
  
• Apply for rank change when openings are available and be accepted.

IC Duties

• Assist the Wingleader in conducting meetings and Wing Practices.
  
• When Weyrlings are almost ready to graduate to full rider, convene with the other Wingseconds/Thirds to divide up each batch of Weyrlings and assign them to their future Wings.

Explanation
Watch Whers are stereotypically the whers which are assigned to guard the Holds. Normally, one wher will serve as the guard for a hold for the duration of its life, and the same is true of the Holds of Western. Watch Whers also serve as night guards for Serrat Weyrhold, where their sharp eyes beat out the eyes of the dragon brothers in the dark.


Requirements

• 5 completed roleplays where the character in question has at least 10 posts.
  
• 1 roleplay (may be part of the original 5) which indicates that the character in question is interested in pursuing this particular rank.
  
• Apply for rank change and be accepted.

IC Duties

• Complete one Watch roleplay every 6 IRL months.

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Explanation
Western comes with its own unique share of dangerous critters and other problems from the wilds, including but not limited to wild whers, amphibious tunnelsnakes, and spinners. Patrol Whers are those that patrol the borders of populated areas and, when necessary, drive off or kill the creatures before they can get anywhere near the general population of the Holds or Weyrhold. Generally, border patrollers work in pairs: two wherhandlers and their whers patrol a segment of the border together, so that they can assist one another at need.


Requirements

• 5 completed roleplays where the character in question has at least 10 posts.
  
• 1 roleplay (may be part of the original 5) which indicates that the character in question is interested in pursuing this particular rank.
  
• Apply for rank change and be accepted.

IC Duties

• Complete one Patrolling roleplay every 6 IRL months.

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Explanation
Mining is a common path for many wherhandlers to take. However, mining requires a very strong and particular set of skills in order to prevent mistakes that could cost lives. The majority of mining-oriented handlers tend to be average mining whers, good for checking the air quality of a shaft or killing off tunnel snakes. The rank of Mining Specialist is a step above the average mining wher, as it implies Turns of training with an experienced Mining Specialist, in addition to the usual hands-on training Journeymen Wherhandlers receive if they select mining as their area of interest. Mining Specialists can do the tasks of average mining whers, but also have the experience to notice weaknesses in mining shafts or things out of the norm for a mining environment. When there is a serious problem in the mines, the Mining Specialists are the handlers called in to assess and pass judgement on what needs to be done.


Requirements

• 7 completed roleplays where the character in question has at least 10 posts.
  
• 1 roleplay (may be part of the original 7) which indicates that the character in question is interested in pursuing this particular rank.
  
• 2 roleplays (may be part of the original 7) with a NPC or PC who is an experienced mining wherhandler with an experienced mining wher partner.
  
• Minimum of two Turns training with an experienced Mining Specialist mentor.
  
• Apply for rank change and be accepted.

IC Duties

• Complete one roleplay with non-handler characters.
  
• Complete one roleplay with fellow handler characters.
  
• Mentor new wherhandlers interested in the Mining Specialist rank by request and your own availability.

Explanation
The Journeyman stage of a Crafter's life is a necessity if an individual is not chosen as a dragonrider or has no intention of becoming one. Journeymen are competent and experienced individuals for their particular craft and are sent on a "journey" to their new post as soon as they achieve this rank. This post assignment may last a Turn or more, and many individuals choose to stay at their original assignment once their designated time is up. Whether they are happy at their new post or not, however, the majority of Crafters tend to reach and then stay at Journeyman, as the requirements to ascend to Master take many Turns and can sometimes be outside the reach of a Crafter's abilities.


Requirements

• 10 completed roleplays where the character in question has at least 10 posts.
  
• Participated in most Apprentice Lessons for their Craft.
  
• If your character started as an apprentice, they must have a minimum of eight Turns experience before they may apply for Journeyman. (Years included in your characters bio will be put towards this limit. I.E. If your character starts at 17, but their History states they became an apprentice at 12, they will have three Turns left before they can apply for Journeyman.)
  
• Apply for rank change and be accepted.

IC Duties

• One roleplay with a fellow active Crafter once every 12 months IRL.
  
• One roleplay with an apprentice within your characters' Craft where your character is demonstrating your skills to the apprentice/teaching the apprentice something new. (Separate from your yearly Crafter roleplay.)

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