Difference between revisions of "Triad Weyrs Canon"

How does the club view the DLG?

The DLG - formally known as The Dragonlover's Guide to Pern - was last published in 1989. It is well known for its errata (Sariel's site[2] has a section devoted to it) that contradict the books, especially those written later than it. Information from it is used only when the books provide no other indication of a subject, and book canon _always_ overrides DLG errata. Its main use is for those crafts that never get a lot of mention in the books, as well as the nitpicky details that don't make it into the books about daily life on Pern. Additionally, the section written by Todd McCaffrey (Chapter VI) on dragonrider training is considered canon and is the basis for how our Weyrleaders operate in the club.

How Small is Pern?

According to the DLG (p. 3), Pern has a diameter of approx. 6500 miles. Earth's diameter is 7900 miles, telling me that Pern is 17.73% smaller than Earth. In applying this formula, I've come up with Perns approx. circumference and diameter at both the equator and at the poles, as well as the number of miles per degree in both latitude and longitude. The numbers are as follows:

EARTH:

Diameter-

• equator = 7,927 miles
• poles = 7,900 miles

Circumference-

• equator = 24,902 miles
• poles = 24, 860 miles

Giving Earth approx. 69.05 miles per degree of latitude & 69.17 miles per degree of longitude at the equator.

PERN:

Diameter-

• equator = 6,522 miles
• poles = 6,500 miles

Circumference-

• equator = 20,487 miles
• poles = 20,452 miles

Giving Pern approx. 56.81 miles per degree of latitude & 56.90 miles per degree of longitude at the equator.

The only argument with this fact from the books is the Atlas, which has mileage scales on its maps that translate to approx. 8 miles per degree. Personally, I think that is absurd since that scale would give Pern a circumference of only 2,880 miles (meaning the trip from New York to Los Angeles would be greater than a round-trip of Pern). So, we based my numbers off the DLG - the best source we've found for such numbers. Our Earth numbers came from various sources, one being an online textbook.

I have a story idea that may or may not be canon. Who should I ask about it?

If you have a storyline that you even think might not be canon, PLEASE ask the Council. They will discuss it and get back to you on whether or not to go ahead with the story. If it is not canon they can tell you exactly why it is not, and possibly help you find a way to tweek the storyline so that it will fit within the canon boundries.

Remember, if you post a storyline that is against canon, the Council may have to take action including giving you a written warning, asking you to retract a story, limiting your ranking personas, putting you back on mentorship for a time, or whatever steps they deem necessary.

So, it is always best to ask if you are not sure!

Measurements

If you've ever wondered how to refer to measurements on Pern, here are the words with description Triad uses for measurements. These come from the DLG, page 141.

Please note that 'inches' 'feet' 'yards' etc. are not canon for Triad and adjust your posts accordingly.

• Fingertip = 1/2" inch wide
• Hand = 4 inches
• Hand-span = extended thumb to little fingertip (8 - 9 inches)
• Man-height = varies, over 5'2 inches under 6'2 inches
• Dragonlength = size of a green or 40 feet
• Weaver's length = from nosetip to extended arm fingertip, approximately 1 yard

Dragon Sizes

With the decades long arguments for Feet vs. Yards, we've done out own resarch and come up with our own decision for this club. You can find our information here.

Morals on Family: Earth Vs Pern

Remember, the concept of two parents and their children as a family is more of a modern Earth ideal, and the Pernese have different needs and values due to being a more medieval society, which has no widespread and effective method of birth control. Fostering children is an accepted practice on Pern, particularly at the Weyrs. The well-being of the child is the utmost consideration in who raises the child, so that the child is raised to be healthy and happy with the full attention of a loving parent, whether birth or foster.

In conclusion, keep the above facts in mind when creating a persona or writing out their history. Pern isn't just Earth with dragons tossed in. Don't impose 21st century Earth values, often too closely tied into religious beliefs, into creating your persona. Religion doesn't exist on Pern - and neither do quite a few Earth hangups about life in general. That's what makes it such an interesting world to play in.

Pern Timeline

The books start their timeline from the date colonists landed on Pern. Then they count the Turns based on the Pass or Interval. Triad had a large gap of over 1200 turns between the last pass and the current one. Therefore we thought we'd help you figure out your dates by providing the following data.

• Click Here for Pern Timeline

• The notation of (Current Pass +8) means to take the current Turn number and add 8 turns to know how far in the past from the current turn this event occurred. This is particularly important for knowing how long ago your dragonrider could have Impressed at this location.

What about the map book?

The Atlas of Pern is a good reference book to have, if you can find one. But keep in mind there are arguments that the equator is placed wrong for the Southern Continent to be as tropical as the books say it is, and that the mileage scale is very badly off. This was from Ms. Fonstad's attention to getting the Atlas to fit as perfectly as possible to the book details (it was published in 1984), and books published after the Atlas redefined a lot of the information she used (particularly as the Southern Continent was described in more detail). Aside from that, it is a good resource for club reference.

What about the newer books?

All the Weyrs of Pern and Skies of Pern are used in the club in only a limited way. Many of the AIVAS-inspired advances were specific only to the task at hand, and utilized materials only found in limited supply. Advancements in technology would have taken place at a slow pace, still keeping to the low-tech vision of the original settlers, but with some of the early history filled in. However, societal upheavals due to epidemics and the return of Threadfall led to a loss of some knowledge.

What about the rest of the books?

Article by Bree

Dragonsdawn and Dragons Kin are good to read to get a general feel for how Pern was settled and what they intended, not to mention to learn how the felines got on the Southern Continent, but not the Northern one, and other details. The Chronicles of Pern and Dragonseye (Red Star Rising) are also a good history reference books, though as with Dragonsdawn, information from them is used only as would still be a part of Pernese culture in our version of Pern.

What books are considered club canon?

Article by Bree

To get a true feel for the canon we utilize in the club, read or re-read The Masterharper of Pern, The Dolphins of Pern, and The Renegades of Pern. These three books often explain in much greater detail how _modern_ Pern works, refining and changing some of the ideas and concepts introduced in the original trilogy (Dragonflight, Dragonquest, The White Dragon), the harper hall trilogy (Dragonsong, Dragonsinger, Dragondrums), and the Sixth Pass books (Moreta and Nerilka).

Who decides what is canon?

Article by Bree

The Council decides what is and what isn't canon based on the books listed listed under "What books are considered club canon?", Triad's rules, and the timeline/history we are playing in. All Council members have demonstrated an indepth knowledge in the above areas. When a question of canon arises, The Council will debate it and make a decision on the issue.