Fort Weyr

The rules of candidacy are pretty simple and are strictly IC, which provides ample opportunity for sticking with them or breaking them depending on the inclinations of your candidate character. If you would like your character to get in trouble for disregarding the rules of candidacy, please send a +mail to the Candidate Coordinators to let us know what you’re planning so we can work out IC consequences with you.

Sometimes these consequences may be something small and fun to play around and we would like to make sure that even IC punishments are fun OOC. Some infractions could result in punishments that could have OOC consequences, like being removed from candidacy. We want to make sure we’re all on the same page so that any unwanted results can be avoided before they occur.

If notifying before the infraction takes place isn’t possible, please notify as soon as possible after/during the RP in question and provide a log. IC actions will always entail IC consequences. If we haven’t been notified ahead of time, we’ll try to work out a mutually satisfactory outcome, but we reserve the right to retcon scenes that would significantly affect the Weyr or the rest of the class in a negative manner.

The rules are meant to convey a sense of ‘realism’ and fun to the candidate period but are not intended to pose an impediment to RP.

1. Be respectful. Candidates should show appropriate respect to all. The basic rules of courtesy apply throughout candidacy. A rude word here and there might result in extra chores or similar punishments but constant disrespect could have much stronger consequences.

2. Do not stray far from the Weyr without a rider ICly. While OOCly we’d prefer that candidates remain at the Weyr or in the coverage area to RP with ‘the locals’ so to speak, you’re welcome to RP anywhere that there is RP available on the game. However, please be sure to frame your presence outside of the Weyr as an accompanied visit during the weeks leading up to the Hatching. This is only strictly enforced in the IC week or two leading up to the Hatching. Once egg touchings start ICly, the eggs are presumed to be close enough to hatching that they could crack any time. Candidates who are out of the Weyr and don’t get back in time ICly will likely miss the chance to Impress. As long as there are eggs rocking, however, Candidates will be permitted onto the Sands, even late. Please note that this is an IC rule only – you do not have to be present at the Hatching to Impress.

3. Sex is permitted, but discouraged. As pregnancy is a very real possibility on Pern, one that often goes undetected for months and poses a very real problem for weyrlings, all candidates are given a primer on contraception by the Weyr’s healers, including awareness of fertility symptoms, options for ‘morning after’ draughts and other abortifacient teas or the option of a ‘long jump Between’, as well as a reminder that abstinence it the only 100% guarantee against pregnancy. While displays of affection are certainly allowed and sex is not explicitly prohibited, girls must understand that if they get pregnant, they will either need to abort if they wish to stand or will not be able to stand for this clutch if they wish to carry to term. Female candidates who become pregnant and were Searched from outside the Weyr, are welcome to remain at the Weyr if they do not wish to face consequences at home. However, they will need to step down from candidacy and will be expected to contribute to the Weyr by working in the lower caverns. Though it’s entirely unfair, and not explicitly stated, sex with partners of the same gender carries no restrictions as there is no risk of pregnancy involved. Candidates are also expected to handle relationships maturely and if any drama results from a relationship that arises during candidacy, both candidates may be barred from candidacy and the chance to Impress.

4. No physical confrontation. Candidacy is, in many ways, preparation for weyrlinghood. As riders are not supposed to engage in physical violence, candidates are expected to display control of their emotions and behaviors. Fights will be dealt with very strictly by the Headwoman and Weyrleaders, especially if the parties involved sustain serious injuries.

5. No drunkenness. Alcoholic beverages are very common on Pern and candidates are allowed to drink so long as they do not become intoxicated, as intoxication can lead to lapses in judgment, such as breaking other rules.

Again, please drop a +mail to ftwadmin before breaking any candidate rules or as soon as possible after a rule is broken if it comes up in RP.

A note on pranks:
While we welcome discussion on breaking the rules and what possible fun could come of it, we would prefer to avoid the common pranks of candidacy, such as dyeing the laundry pink. If you have an idea for a prank that you would really like to pull, please discuss this with your CCs.