Metaplot Jumpstart Guide
This guide is for those who are new to join or returning. The metaplot has taken on some very important story turns and it may be difficult for players to join, ergo this condensed helper guide.
When building a character or updating said character please keep these events in mind. Also consider that reading the metaplot summary thread where all the metaplot posts are archived will give you the best idea of what’s gone on since the beginning of the shop.
Metaplot Arc 1 – Time Flies
The world of pern is experiencing a decrease in dragon fertility and an increase in the number of Atypical births. Research and investigation into the cause is undertaken and when Gold Brakiath of Trine lays a Gold Egg, other Weyrs send in healers to assess the health and condition of both the eggs and the dragons there. A conflict leads to the tragic death of a dragon. Following the death and medical investigation, Masterhealer Givon discovered the cause: insufficient dietary intake of a particular compound found in Mystweed. Teams were sent to search for the plant but very little was found. When all seemed to be lost, Mastercrafter Archimonde stepped forward with a proposal for mass production from what little was found while at the same time evidence of Mystweed back in time, requiring Timing It. A Vote was held and the people of Pern chose to Time It, spawning the Time Riders – a group of individuals responsible for searching for Mystweed. They were scarred and battlehardened by their experiences but guaranteed the continued existence of Mystweed in modern day, thus addressing the problem of fertility.
Results: Fertility was increased but in so doing, the number of Atypical dragons was reduced.
Metaplot Arc 2 – Shadow Games
After the events of Arc 1, the world has been left in a difficult political situation. This tension is made worse with the murder of Weyrwoman Kestril from Benden and the subsequent assassination of Weyrleader H’trel from Malvren, with evidence leading back to either Weyr. Weyrwomen Abigail of Trine is put into a coma after being attacked by the assassin, her gold Gold Brakiath, defends her by shoving the man away – however, being a flick from a gold, the man sustained fatal injuries. A murder investigation ensures and hints of a revolution begin to surface but nothing is pursued. The first Thread Fall happens after the murder investigation and losses are very heavy. New Wingleaders are sworn in via a new, democratic method. Finally, the missing Mastercrafter Archimonde is found once more and offering another technical answer to the problem of thread – however, this answer proves to be a distraction for Masterhandler Keller to begin his Revolution. Combat and hostile take-over consumes Trine, Benden, and Malvren… and in the end Malvren and Benden fall to the New Order, headed by Masterhandler Keller.
Results: The revolution, sparked by inequality that runs rampant in Weyrs around the world, was successful in Benden and Malvren but failed in Trine. Trine is now a refugee center for the displaced riders and suffering from overpopulation.
Your Character and These Events
These events have reached around the world via news. Most have heard something of them. When building a character, account for this. If your character is a NEW candidate (recently searched) they will have heard a more filtered version. If your character is NOT a new candidate, they will have lived through some of this, remember to account for that in their history.
For riders and candidates alike, the Revolution is a turning point. ALL characters, returning or new, MUST pick a side. The Revolutionaries/Wherholders or the Resistance/Dragonriders are the two options. The Wherholders stand for equal opportunity and merit based authority but this core belief is tarnished by the bloody revolution used to gain the freedom to do so. The Dragonriders believe in a millennia-old hierarchy where colour determines how much authority an individual may attain. For a summary of beliefs for each side: [see the Pick Your Side Thread].
When returning to RP, you may gloss through the events of the previous arcs but make sure to note which side you are on. The choice is entirely up to you and is on a per-character basis but it is permanent (at least for now). Please post in this thread to make your decision [Pick Your Side!]. After that, feel free to RP!
RP for the Wherholders can be in either Benden or Malvren. RP for the Dragonriders is restricted to Trine and Trine’s Environs.
If You have questions, please post them here!