About the Craft

 

A Harper's Life

 

Events in the Harperhall

 

Meet the Harpers

 

In the Vaults

The Apprentice's Guidebook

Craft Life ] Duties ] [ Advancement ] Rules and Consequences ] Class Logs ] Exam Logs ] Journeyperson Projects ] 

        Introduction

        Acceptance

        OOC/IC Distinction

        OOC/IC Craft Leadership Tree

        OOC/IC Craft Ranks, and what they mean

        Promotion from Apprentice to Jr. Journeyman

        Promotion from Sr. Journeyman to Master

 

Introduction

The following guidebook is intended to help new players learn about the Harper Craft of Harper’s Tale MOO. In its current version, the Apprentice’s Guidebook was written by Harper Journeymen Liesana and Torlan.  

 

Acceptance Into the Craft

Acceptance in to the craft can only be obtained through a recommendation given by a harper journeyman or master. This is usually done by means of an interview, which can be given by any harper of senior apprentice level or above, mostly for the purpose of meeting the newbie and getting them started. An interview should test the RP skills of the applicant, while yet giving them the opportunity to express questions or concerns they might have. Don't make it too easy, but don't make it too hard either. Once the interview has been completed, the interviewer reports to a staff member, whereupon the staffer may decide to admit the applicant. Note that for purposes of MOO orientation, all applicants are required to have 10 hours of role-playing time before they may be granted an interview.

OOC/IC Distinction

First, and perhaps most importantly, is understanding the distinction between being Out Of Character and In Character. Out Of Character refers to events and activities that are not in the Pern world, and involve the players on the MOO. In contrast, In Character refers to events and activities occurring in the Pern world, involving characters, and fitting into the reality that Anne created. “Years,” a “computer,” and “George W. Bush” are all OOC terms that would not be appropriate for IC RP. “Turns,” “drum towers,” and “green dragons” are all IC terms that would be appropriate for IC RP. Another important issue is canon. Canon is what is and is not likely to be found on Pern. Canon issues are not always black and white: exactly what instruments Pern has is debatable. Nevertheless, most cases can be easily determined as either canon or not canon. Example: electric guitars are not canon. Pipes would be. If you feel intimidated, don’t worry. MOOing can’t be learned all at once. It takes time, practice, and patience!

 

OOC/IC Craft Leadership Tree

Like all bureaucratic functions, the Harper Craft has a leadership tree. The current Harper Craft of Harper’s Tale has a three-tiered leadership tree.

Harper Staff: The Harper Staff includes most players of Sr. Journeyman rank or higher and is responsible for interviewing and accepting characters, for mentoring and looking after apprentices, and performing basic staff and leadership functions.

General Harper Populace: This includes all other members of the Harper Craft. Members of the Harper Craft have no OOC obligations; they exist primarily for IC roleplay. This includes all apprentices and senior apprentices, and some journeymen and masters who have chosen not to pursue OOC leadership.

 

OOC/IC Ranks, and What They Mean

Apprentice

IC: This is the basic level of the Harper Craft.  An apprentice’s days consist of classes, classes and more classes, with breaks for chores and meals.  Nevertheless, many apprentices somehow seem to find the time to get into mischief every now and again, resulting in more chores, should they get caught (and they usually do!).

RP Ideas:  Chores.  Gripe about them, engage in them, avoid them...  Lessons, studying, or not studying.   And then there's socializing.  Harpers are a friendly lot, get out there and hold up our reputation.  And let's not forget about mischief.  Although any major infractions should be cleared by the Staff first, we like RP, and are pretty willing to accommodate it, if you are willing to face IC repercussions.

OOC: Again, this is the basic level.  Spend your time here learning how things work on the MOO and in the Craft.  Promotion to Senior Apprentice will occur when you have declared a major, taken a mentor, and have demonstrated a good knowledge of RP skills and IC/OOC conduct.

Search: Apprentices are allowed and encouraged to try for search. If an apprentice is up for search and fails to impress, they may return to the craft and continue where they left off. Please ask for permission from a staff member before submitting your search application. Please also see our Search Policy.

 

Senior Apprentice

IC: Not so much a rank as a transitory period between ranks, the Senior Apprentice is basically a half-step between Apprentice and Journeyman ranks.  A senior apprentice still has all the restrictions of an apprentice, but has some added responsibilities.  They can now teach classes and, under supervision and with prior permission, conduct craft interviews.  Lessons now consist of more in-depth classes in the area of the senior apprentice's “major.”  The senior apprentice will also be working closely with their mentor, who will advise them on their project.  Senior apprentices may also assist journeymen in teaching class, marking, or other tasks.

RP Ideas: Still the same as an apprentice, but now add in the fun of project work.  Your mentor will also be glad to RP with you on everything from project help to advice on life.

OOC:  This rank may be skipped, but it is here that you can really rack up some brownie points with the Harper Staff. Catch our eye with participation in craft affairs and in the MOO at large. Teach classes, interview applicants, and help out new players. Organize TP's.  Be a contributing member of the craft! Promotion to Journeyman requires two equally important endeavors. First, an apprentice must complete six primary skills classes that introduce the apprentice to the major aspects of the Harper craft. Second, the apprentice must declare a “major” focus of interest, and present a small project that displays their interest and aptitude in that area of the craft. (for more information, see the section on Promotion from Apprentice to Jr.  Journeyman) In addition, apprentices must show both in-character and out-of-character emotional maturity. This is at the discretion of the staff We do not want to hold people back, but as a Journeyman, both the player and the character represent the craft and must be able to conduct themselves in the manner deemed appropriate of a Harper Journeyman.  An alternate option, for those lacking either the maturity or the ability to complete the required classes, is to take the rank of Harper Tutor.  No further advancement is possible from this rank, and it is really only considered as a last resort.  

Search: Senior Apprentices are allowed and encouraged to try for search. If an apprentice is up for search and fails to impress, they may return to the craft and continue where they left off. Please ask for permission from a staff member before submitting your search application. Please also see our Search Policy.

Jr. Journeyman

IC: Congratulations, you're a Journeyman!  You can now drink, handfast, travel the wide roads of Pern, and purchase expensive things like runnerbeasts. You also get a whole whack of new responsibilities, to go with the increased maturity that your rank demands. As a Junior Journeyman, you will most likely be posted to the main Hall, where your duties will include instructing Basic-level classes in your given Major, and assisting more senior ranks in their work. The occasional higher-level class or lecture may be attended, but for the most part, training is On The Job. A Jr. Journeyman is permitted to take mentees.

RP Ideas:  The sky is the limit! You can travel, pursue romantic entanglements, or even consider Cross-Crafting. You can teach classes, interrogate prospective Harpers, moan about the horror that is marking, create instruments, organize balls… Whatever pleases you.  Although if you've reached this level, you probably don't need to be told how to RP.

OOC: The next step along the road of rank is that of Senior Journeyman.  This is a promotion granted entirely at the discretion of the Harper Staff when you have shown yourself to be a mature and responsible player with a character equally mature and responsible.  You will be active, and a contributing part of MOO and Craft life.  Hiding in your room and never coming out to play is not how you get this rank.  IC involvement is just as important as OOC. So how will the Staff hear about all the good things you've been up to?  We'll hear from the Masters and the current Senior Journeymen about whom they think is ready for the rank.  This isn't a popularity contest; this is where dedication and a willingness to take part will get you far.

Search: Junior Journeymen are allowed to apply for search, but this practice is frowned upon, as promotion to Journeyman implies a strong commitment to the craft. If a character impresses they must sever their ties with their original craft, and they consequently lose their rank. It is also unfair to the Staff and other wannabe Journeymen for you to apply for search, as they have all put considerable time into making your character what it is. If a junior journeyman is up for search and fails to impress, they may return to the craft and continue where they left off. In the case of a Junior Journeyman, please ask for permission from the Harper Staff before submitting your search application. Please also see our Search Policy.

 

Sr. Journeyman

IC: Moving on up now, aren't we?  A Sr. Journeyman is much like a Junior, but with even more responsibilities.  You can be posted out to a Hold or Craft now, and are considered capable of bearing the full responsibility of educating, entertaining and mediating the disputes of those whom you are posted to.  You could also stay at the main Hall and instruct in the higher level courses of a given Major.  You'll have Jr. Journeymen and Sr. Apprentices to assist you in these endeavors.  If you plan to seek the rank of Master, you'll also spend some serious time preparing for the dreaded Mastery Examination. **NB: Sr. Journeymen and above cannot apply for Search.**

RP Ideas:  Do we really need to tell you?  If you're posted out, think of all the new dynamics that come into play with the people of a new Hold, Craft or Weyr to RP with.  If you stay at the Main Hall, think of all the fresh blood coming in, just waiting to be moulded (or tortured) by your lessons and lectures.

OOC: This is a rank where leadership qualities really come into play.  If you don't want to Be Involved, you aren't going to be here.  More than ever, if you or others see something wrong with the Craft, IC or OOC, you are going to be one of the people expected to help fix it.  Once again, IC involvement is just as important as work done OOC.  If you are sitting idle in your room for 7/8ths of the time you're online, you're not contributing, and you aren't going to be here.   Promotion to Master:  Contribute something major and worthwhile to the Craft or MOO.  Organize a major TPor something similar, or continually be one of the strong forces for positive change OOC.  In either case be consistently involved in RP, large or small. 

Search: Senior Journeymen are not allowed to apply for search. By the rank of Sr. Journeyman, both the player and the character have expressed an ongoing commitment to the craft. In addition, it is highly unlikely that a Sr. Journeyman could be within the bounds of the searchable age. Please also see our Search Policy.

 

Master

IC: This is the big one.  'Master' is really the operative word here.  As a Harper Master, you will have done just that: mastered your particular major completely, and be well versed in the elements of the others.  Masters are generally a fairly sober lot, although that really depends on your character, of course.  Some of the sobriety is no doubt imparted by having survived your Master's Exam, a grueling battery of tests on every subject known to Harpers.  Many senior journeymen have to take this exam several times before attaining Mastery.

RP Ideas:  Please tell us that you don't need to hear this!  But, in the interests of continuing the pattern, here we go:  Masters can really get involved in some high-level TP's.  Political upheaval, matters of the Blood, nifty stuff like that.  Exalted circles now, kids!  You can also give high-level lectures and such to the Journeymen, discipline those severely misbehaving (although that's not so fun if over-done), discover new and enlightened ways of running the Craft's administrative areas... etc.

OOC: One thing that cannot be stressed enough at this level: Be Active!!!  A craft is influenced by its upper ranks.  If all of our masters are either idle or sitting in their rooms, what kind of image does that give the newer members?  We know that RL can be a pain, but please, please, please get out there and RP.  Teach, entertain, skulk about and scare apprentices.  Whatever fits your character, and works, do it!  And be involved in the Craft's OOC activities too.  Be approachable with questions or concerns, and make sure that concerns are dealt with promptly.

Search: As should be fairly obvious, Masters are not permitted to apply for search. This is a no-brainer. Please also see our Search Policy.

 

Promotion from Apprentice to Jr. Journeyman

Time, place and method of promotion are determined by Harper Staff. Below are the usual options and procedures regarding promotion, but nothing except a Staff vote guarantees a promotion of any sort.

In terms of the logistics for Apprentices, there are generally two accepted tracks towards earning a promotion to Journeyman. In both, the candidate should demonstrate maturity, involvement in and dedication to the Craft, competent RP, a passable knowledge of MOO commands and procedures, and good judgement.

Track One: The @progress Board

This is the method most recommended for those seeking promotion. It makes it easy to demonstrate both IC and OOC involvement in the Craft, and provides a framework for RP. Note that simply gathering all the 'X's does not guarantee promotion!

So, let's talk about @progress. It's a handy little verb on the Harper FO that will display the contents of the Harper Progress Board in the Harper Office, regardless of what room you're in on the MOO. To use it, type '@progress' or '@progress focus <name>', to be specific. Pretty neat, huh? Now, let's talk about what all those numbers and X's mean:

Type @progress mname. You should see something that looks like this:

---------------
1. OOC-Rules-RP Class
2. Music Credit
3. Arts Credit
4. Law Credit
5. Language Credit
6. Specialty Set
7. Mentor Chosen
8. Promotion: Sr. Apprentice
9. IC/OOC Seminar: Teaching
10. IC/OOC Seminar: Handfastings & Interviews
11. 1st Specialty Class
12. 2nd Specialty Class
13. Teach Basic Class
14. Conduct Interview
15. Journeyman's Project/Exam
---------------

These are various 'milestones' that need to be passed in order to make it along the path to Journeyman. The don't necessarily have to be performed in order, i.e., you can take specialty classes while still an apprentice, or take a mentor and a specialty before taking your OOC/Rules/RP class, but in order to be promoted to Sr. Apprentice all of the first 6 steps must have been accomplished. Also, one cannot interview or teach a class until one is a Sr. Apprentice.

The various 'credits' can be obtained in a few ways: One can attend a class in the given area, participate in RP revolving around that area, submit a small IC project or paper in that area, etc. The classes of credit are self-explanatory, for the most part: 'Music' covers all areas of music, from composition and instrument crafting onto performance both instrumental or vocal. 'Law' covers the legal aspects of Harpering, from diplomacy and mediation to courtroom techniques and tactics. 'Art' isn't limited to painting or sculpture. It also includes dance, drama, and other areas you'd see in the Fine Arts department of a university or college. 'Language' is the catch-all of the four, containing subjects focusing on either the written or spoken word. Poetry, philosophy, history, archiving, storytelling, creative writing and communications such as drumcode will be found here.

The IC/OOC Seminars are just that: An informal discussion of techniques and tactics, hints and tips, for performing the various IC duties that we all get saddled with, upon making Journeyman rank. Additionally, since Senior Apprentices are encouraged to help out with interviews and teaching classes, (And in fact, are required to do one of each as a goal towards promotion,) it makes logical sense to know what to do before setting out to do it!

Now, the Journeyman's Project!! An ideal project should do some or all of the following: generate RP for the MOO and the Craft in particular; demonstrate the candidate's competence in the field(s) touched upon, ideally the candidate's area of specialization; lay the groundwork for further work after Journeymanship; show the candidate's initiative and organizational skills. It is generally considered to be roughly worth the same amount of effort as a ten page paper. Remember that presentation counts in both your proposal, (sent to *hcou after discussion with your mentor) and your actual execution of your project; communication skills are something the Staff examines carefully in considering promotions.

Once a project has been accepted, the Senior Apprentice attempts to put the idea into practice. The candidate should by now have a mentor, who can prove invaluable as a source of advice, editorial comment, brainstorming, support, etc. Once the project has been completed, the Staff will vote on whether or not to accept it as adequate proof of competency to take a Journeyman exam. The Staff and the candidate will then schedule a time, and examine the candidate. Another vote takes place, based on that exam and its log, and if half of the Staff accepts, the candidate is then promoted.

Track Two: Continual Commitment

 This is a touchier process, and is really only recommended if you are, for some reason (odd online times, etc) unable to follow the standard route. For this, the candidate should do his or her best to find a mentor because this is the best way to ensure /someone/ on Staff will stay apprised of his/her activities. An Apprentice who wants to try this route should make it known to the Staff. From that point, the Apprentice should continually engage in small-scale projects and Craft-related RP. Their mentor has a responsibility to stay conscious of what, precisely they are doing and keep the Staff similarly updated. Then, it is simply a question of when the Staff thinks the candidate is ready for promotion, either to Senior Apprentice or straight to Journeyman. Either is likely to happen at a Craft dinner/meeting with no warning given to the candidate, so be sure you enjoy surprises if you wish to attempt this option. This option is also likely to take significantly longer, so be warned.

Whichever track you choose, remember this single most important factor in earning a promotion: the Staff must trust the candidate and believe that they will do well in the position.

If a candidate is constantly getting into OOC trouble with the Staff, it will be exceedingly difficult for them to develop any sort of trust for the candidate. For instance: an Apprentice who violates a number of the IC rules, gets caught, and didn't give a friendly OOC 'head's up' to the Harper staff beforehand. Apprentices who appear OOCly 'power mad', only playing the game in order to gain promotion, will also not be looked highly upon. This is, after all, a game. An IC promotion doesn't make you a better person, doesn't make you prettier or smarter, or more likely to someday become president of the U.N. Although an IC promotion and a dollar /will/ get you a cup of coffee...

 

Promotion from Sr. Journeyman to Master

Characters are rarely promoted from Sr. Journeyman to Master. This promotion is quite an achievement, and it consequently very rarely happens. Outstanding : 12.0pt" class="Subheading">Promotion from Sr. Journeyman to Master

Characters are rarely promoted from Sr. Journeyman to Master. This promotion is quite an achievement, and it consequently very rarely happens. Outstanding ter Review which examines your knowledge of the Craft will also be given in addition to reviewing the applicant's dedication to the Craft and it's advancement.  There is no activity requirement for this promotion.  Note that there is no actual requirement for a project for this advancement; what's looked for is a pattern of consistent support for and advancement of the MOO as a whole and the Craft in particular.  

 

 

 

 

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