Stereotypes & Traditions

[Bre]

Whether you are aware of it or not, though I think many of you are, we're slowly forming IC stereotypes regarding simourvs, riders, and life in general around Pohono. My question is, what are they? Don't be afraid to say anything, even if it contradicts something else. The beauty of this is that it doesn't have to make sense; I just thought it should be discussed. What's the stereotypical greenrider? What are some new swears? How is someone from Itnala viewed by people in Chydyn? What do people think you need to have to be a rider?

[winged]

...well, to start things off, I personally am seeing people characterize gray riders as quote unquote ...a bit crazy. Or at the very least, not your average jane. Not by a long shot. Granted, there isn't much for the people/players to go by otherwise, but it's interesting to note all the same. It's very different from, say, a gold rider on Pern. I think at least...

Greenriders are a mixed bag. It seems like they're social butterflies (or at least socially competent), but beyond that it's not so clear. Those are some of my basic 'assumptions'.

[Bre]

I definitely don't think grayriders share much with goldriders. In Pern, a lot of power was given to the Weyrleader. Goldriders were supposed to be pretty and nice. Grayriders are supposed to be competent. Grayriders are supposed to be strong. I don't think crazy would be the general stereotype, but I think they would more likely be stereotyped as the military woman, not the pretty socialite. Which will be funny when we get a grayrider that isn't so much like I'dou or Ro'za. XD

[Quill]

Well, stereotypes are hard to get around though I do not think they're a bad thing. But I can give my two cents, which most of it is duh or jokes. Female blueriders have a bit of drastic personalities and they're awesome. Blackriders are just built bigger and they have pocket protectors. Green simourv seem to be a bit on the cheerful side. Gray like powerful personalities bad asses. Now, there is some stuff that aren't really established like when the subject of winglets avoiding sexness was mentioned in the cbox, I was not aware that avoiding sex was encouraged.

I'll think of some more when I feel more observant.

[winged]

Black simourv come equipped with pocket protectors straight from the egg. It's their destiny. -cue Pokemon theme song warped to fit the needs of Pohono-

Edit: I don't know, I think secretly most of the riders are thinking 'what's that crazy b*tch doing now'. :'D They just won't say it out loud because then they'll have their arse handed to them. ...and that little gray rider is going to suffer, with those two joining forces under the united flag of 'I'm a bad ass I eat nails for breakfast'.

Female blue riders are also a bit of a mixed bag, you have some very temperate women (T'gan), and then you have Sal'a and S'pais. >> Blues seem to have curious tastes.

[zeis]

Lets see... Some stuff I think about.

Whenever I post for K'huna, I always imagine that the Riders are essentially a new sort of police force. They aren't only there to fight Koxi, he sees himself as another branch of the law, which is not to be abused. So I've been kinda working with the fact that riders are at least slightly feared if not respected by some people, and that they are expected to help people when they can. Public servants if you will.

Granted I imagine simourv riders are seen as a bit of a bother too. Scaring horses, the loud noises the simourv make, the tendency to land in streets and towns, and their appetites. They definitely have a non-glamorous side. Plus I imagine there is also some distrust, and some riders are probably condescending.

Gray riders are... powerful, complicated women in my mind. Because so much importance is put on them, they're kind of like elevated and estranged from other riders. Respected, maybe secretly complained about, but capable. Gray simourv to me represent wisdom, judgement, power, and hope. They're mysterious because so few other than their riders, and perhaps their chosen mates, or close friends know them.

Black simourv and black riders kind of make me think of male lions. They're sort of like leisurely kings. Sure they're commanders, and they lead in battle and stuff like that, but they're also really laid back and privileged. I've noticed theres a polar sort of reaction to them. Some think them incredibly noble and graceful, but others find them pompous, boring, and swaggering.

Red riders... Probably just because of K'huna, but I see them in a pretty military sense. Capable of leading, but willing to serve. A bit of a temper, and relationships between rider and simourv have a lot of give and take. Even with the more harmonious redpairs we have like Ze'el and Dareph, they still have different views on things and struggle influence or control some aspect of the others personality. To me, red simourv themselves seem to symbolize competition. They're warriors.

Tawny riders to me represent selfless people with purpose. Maybe not with the desire to lead, but the willingness and capability to. They are genuinely compassionate people, thoughtful, and attentive to the needs and emotions of others. They have intuition. Tawny simourv to me represent devotion, compassion, and camaraderie.

Blue simourv don't get enough respect. Reds may be fighters, but there are so many more blues that their importance cant be understated. I associate blues with tenacity, loyalty, and sort of the working class. Blues and Greens are like the majority of the colony that holds it together. They're like worker bees, or something. The infantry.

Green simourv are just as important as blues. Maybe not as big as tenacious as blue simourv, but in their numbers have a lot of agency and bravery. They are workers and infantry, varied, but strong. I am amused that it seems like out of all the simourv in the game, the greens united seem to have the strongest relationships to each other? It just always seems like they're unified greens, or something similar. XD They represent the varied and wild side of life, unity, yet also individuality.

Rainbow simourv... Me and Killy once had a conversation about how Rainbow simourv are like the omega(I think?) of a wolf pack. There are few of them, but their purpose is to well... be who they are. Joyous, wild, naive, free spirits who instigate play, and in general lift the spirits of the simourv around them. It seems like a stereotype of them being incredibly lightning fast has started with Aburoqaph, and it seems fitting. They are the fastest fliers, but have the least endurance. I imagine them as scouts, messengers, opportunistic fighters. I could kind of see them as teachers and surrogate parents too. Rainbow riders are benevolent people, with a playful spirit. Rainbows represent play, optimism, and laughter.

As for swears... K'huna swears a lot. Trying to remember some things I've had him say...

By the sky above- More of an oath then a swear. Sort of like saying, 'Oh my god' or 'jesus christ'.

Oh, and some traditions/rules I've been posting under the assumption of.

Winglets should not be drinking or engaging heavilly in sexual relationships.

Wingletmasters (mainly K'huna, dunno if the other teachers have been following this) are teaching their students almost every day, and as such also abstain from alcohol so it doesn't affect their performance. As such, K'huna very much wants a drink but cant have one.

[Quill]

Don't forget Ros'n, Winged.

Don't got much to add except totally agree. Especially with the people's view of the Eyrie. I wanted to explore this with a would-be candidate, but then I found an older armor maker more interesting.

Now I don't think Omega, since that might imply a negativer connatation, is the right word since they're rare. Like the special gems that no one really wants to mess with because no one wants to screw up that cheerfulness. But I think that they are probably the fastest and most nimble fliers because they don't have all that length the others have to worry about. And yes, agree with everything. And with flights, I would think the rainbows would be the most detached, not care, unless it is the queen with all of them being slow developer.

With similarities to each other, I feel either the blueriders and their blues [green and their greenriders] are either very similar or very different. I hate to use my own characters as examples, but I know them the best. Like Je'ce and Sal'a. They're very different from their blues, polar opposites. But Molotoph and A'ryllis are quite similar. But these are just three examples from who knows how many.

Now I think rainbow and their riders have the most similiar personalities.

Also, asses are always offensive and I think ugly as a Koxi's butt would be more offensive since many who look at one do not survive for long.

[Aikaph]

I feel bad about not being around often and using my characters for reference, but I know them best, so yeah.

Tawnies (based off of Altaph - so unbiased, right? XD): Imagine one of those parents that, when their child has a friend come over, they don't stop trying to help and asking "Do you need anything?" or "Do you want anything?" Then, imagine that EVERY DAY. And that they not only do it with guests, but the family members too, and maybe to the point of total strangers. Then change the person to a fluffy brown simourv, and you got a Tawny.

Tawny-Riders (based off of Sa'nia - again, I realize this is uber-biased, so yeah): They have this flaw. That, like, NOBODY can forget. It seems that they would be total introverts and shy away from people. However, they end up being total OPPOSITES of that, being the epitome of an extrovert. They accept the fact that they have this flaw, and they don't let it get in their way.

Blues (based off of Shadoph, though I will be including little snippets of others - I admit I'm a terribly slow replier, and is easily distracted by threads that have nothing to do with me or my characters... ^^; ): The Blues are the little... Geeks, if you will, knowing the most about one thing (i.e. their riders, art, maybe quiet/vengeful violence, etc). Hard to anger, they have level heads, and don't let insanity take them by storm (with the exception of Flights, where the geeks turn into MANLY MEN [lol] and beat everyone out). In lamest terms, blues are the Hulks of the Simourvs, only showing their "angry side" in Flight or in battle.

Blue-Riders (based off the contrasting Xo'li and Ros'n): The riders of the most populous male simourvs are, as many of you have stated, a mixed bag. You really never know what you will get. You could either end up with a handsome guy rider with a love for art and a halfway decent organization skill with his thoughts, or a female rider with absolutely no mental organization whatsoever.

<WARNING: FROM HERE ON OUT ARE JUST OBSERVATIONS THAT COULD EASILY BE TOTALLY STRANGE AND/OR RANDOM. CONTINUE AT YOUR OWN RISK>

SIMOURVS

Grays: Grays are the ones that 'wear the pants in the family,' if you will. Level-headed and powerful, they are capable of making even the most stubborn Red fall into submission to follow her orders. However, they are also dreamers, that only want the best for their people.

Reds: Reds are like those movie stars that never get enough of themselves. Pompous and (usually) loud, they just LOVE to strut their stuff ans watch hordes of fan girls come swarming to their feet. However, if they don't get what they want, they have that vile temper only equivalent to that of a young child's: loud, hazardous, and obnoxious.

Blacks: The rather large beasts are, like mentioned in earlier posts, reminiscent to the alpha male lion in his pride. Sure, he can lead the hunt and he is the alpha, but in all reality, he's a laid-back fellow who doesn't really seem to do much. Also prone to being melodramatic, they are rarely full of themselves; in fact, they mostly set their sites on the m,most powerful female in said pride to court and eventually win.

Greens: These little beauties can be a mixed bag. Sometimes they remind me of those old ladies that spread gossip around their nursing home. Sometimes they remind me of laid-back, albeit vain, teenagers. And sometimes still they remind me of a child that had just a tiny bit too much sugar. It's really hard to place just one thing on them.

Rainbows: One phrase. ADHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHD. That should be enough said.

If we were to compare the colors to a school, it would be:

Gray: The strict principal that wants all the students to go to the best universities.
Black: The laid-back vice principal.
Red: The popular kids that are total jerk wads.
Blue: The geeks.
Green: The rest of the students.
Rainbow: The foreign exchange students that have ADHD.

I'll take care of the riders I didn't talk about later; I want to see if anybody agrees/disagrees/thinks I'm insane.

[Lan]

Lan's thoughts on the matter (just how she sees the world of Pohono and the Eyrie)...

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RIDERS

Grayriders- While most people find them insane, they're just BAMF women who can get things done. They definitely wear the pants of the Eyrie, and they're very much in charge of anything and everything... and if things aren't going according to plan, they tend to be really irritable.

Blackriders- With the exception of Sil'us, all blackriders tend to be SUPER-DEVOTED to their work and/or are on a life-long mission that absorbs most or all of their time. They're workaholics, typically perfectionists, and while their social life is not very strained they are constantly brooding over something or another to do with their work or their mission. They can also be a sort of family guy, silently protective in a sense.

Redriders- As Zeis said, they're warriors. Typically strict or hard-headed, leaving little room for error in their job. They take their duties as simourv riders VERY seriously and can see themselves as being, in a sense, upholders of the law.

Blueriders- Grab bag with this one. Yet, despite their varying qualities, blueriders tend to be people that can get stuff done. They're the working class of the Eyrie, and while they vary from tough to gentle they can almost always get the task set ahead of them done.

Greenriders- VARIOUS qualities. Many are laid-back and just content to do what is assigned to them and nothing more. MOST are friendly or at the very least social. However, other than that I can see no pattern to their personalities.


SIMOURV

Gray- These Queens of the Eyrie tend to be very insightful. They are NOT AT ALL like Golds, who are typically vain and hot-tempered. Grays are very much in control of their emotions and are far-sighted in their planning. While they assert their dominance, they do not bask in it. They are the logical minds and the well-tempered mothers that keep the Eyrie running smoothly and efficiently.

Black- Generally laid-back and more into designating jobs that need to be done to others, Blacks can seem to be like the male lions of the Eyrie. However, they are typically family men. They are very fond and protective of their siblings, acting like the fathers of the Eyrie. Yet, while they leave most of the organizing to the Grays and the hard work to the Reds and the Blues, they are not to be trifled with. Not quick to anger or act violently, when they do they generally command attention and respect. They will protect their family with their lives without question or hesitation.

Red- Vain, high-strung, temperamental... Reds are not really team players in the Eyrie. Very few gain any sort of respect from them, and if someone did gain respect they generally won't say it aloud. Generally among the populace they are thought of with sighs and sarcasm, as it seems they enjoy making life difficult.

Blue- While their individual temperaments may vary greatly, blues tend to be the men of action. They know how to get things done and are generally very satisfied with their job and are eager to perform. Perhaps stoic might represent them, normally they take things as they are and don't try to dress up or down whatever is at hand. They tell it like it is, however they see it. Working class of the Eyrie.

Green- Typically these simourv tend to be very shallow. They are emotional creatures, whether they attempt to be rational or not, and can very from light-hearted and timid to vain and snappish. While Greens come in a wide assortment, they are almost always never the types to read more into something than surface-level. Emote and then react tends to be their drive. Yet, they also tend to be very attached to their riders, moreso than blues.

RANDOM

Travelers- Typically traveling bands tend to go between Chydyn and Sayaie, very rarely venturing to Itnala and the Eyrie. As such, Chydyn and Sayaie seem to be the larger and more developed cities that contain far more people and are much more active as far as community events (such as festivals, etc).

Chydyn- A lot of guards seem to come from here. Perhaps this is their base of training? Also, they seem to be the hub for military, with lots of blacksmiths and soldiers.

Sayaie- A lot of the old Earth sciences are being kept alive here. Also, it seems to be a cultural hub for dancing or music. Most likely the largest city.

Itnala- Most of the people here seem to have adopted the simplest means of life, mainly fishing and other survivalist trades. Not really a military center.

Oaths- I find E'an speaks a lot about the heavens and the stars. I also believe that soon people would be talking about other people being "sour as a red" or "talkative as a rainbow". But that's just me. ;]

Winglethood- Winglets generally don't seem to talk to adult riders all that often, and it seems like drinking and sexual relations are taboo. While candidates may form a bond with their searchriders, really the only adult riders they have any contact with are their Wingletmasers until graduation. Unless, of course, they get on Ro'za bad side. Otherwise, adult riders simply seem too busy and so it would be considered an inconvenience for a Winglet to approach a full rider.

Telepathic communication- Simourv seem to be a lot less strict than dragons about who they open their comments to. Often when searching a simourv can and will communicate telepathically with their search-ee. Also, if they have any relationship at all with a human that isn't their rider they may contact them telepathically as well. It really seems to be based on their whims and their personalities. Naturally some simourv are more talkative and open than others. Also, when simourv broadcast openly they can communicate to all humans in the area as well, under their discretion.

Masters- Candidatemasters, at least to me, seem like they would be riders that ride smaller simourv so as not to scare the newcomers away. They are gentle and kind and take things in stride as they give their lessons. Wingletmasters are typically Redriders or a pair of Greenriders and at the very least their simourv (if not themselves as well) are demanding and very precise in their lessons. It is their job also, it seems, to fill in the blanks that kinder Candidatemasters didn't drill in properly. There is little room for error in Winglet lessons, compared to the more laid back Candidate lessons.

The Eyrie- Unlike the Weyrs of Pern, the Eyrie of Pohono seems to also be a cultural hub of free trade and progressive thinkers. Often very talented people of their craft can be found in the Eyrie and traders do count it as a place to stop and barter and sell.

[Bre]

On the note of telepathy, unless I am very mistaken about what I have done, Eceph has never talked to a human except for Ro'za. If she has, it is very rare, but I'm pretty sure it is never at this point still.

[Lan]

Hmm... let me edit that, then. SMALLER colors tend to be more open about talking to others. Grays, Blacks, and Reds never really do it. I'm not sure about Tawnies or Blues. Greens seem to be very open with their thoughts. Rainbows seem to not really care either way.

I'm just saying it's more likely than dragons. I've seen it happen several times during searches, particularly with green searchers. Like Eceph, Alianph hasn't talked to anyone else either... as long as you don't count the broadcasting of the first hatching. Now that I think about it, I don't think Kaslimeph or Liliph have talked to anyone other than their riders as well. But I know I've seen it happen with some greens!

[Kat]

Hmm, maybe he's an exception, but Dionyph has definitely talked to other people. He's communicated at least with A'ryllis, L'nan, and I'm pretty sure other people. So I guess he's an exception--or if I'm right about the people he's talked to, he communicates with people that Ri'ley is particularly close to?

I always thought simourvs could and did communicate with other people more than like Pernese dragons--so I've always assumed it was acceptable.

[Lan]

Luls. Talk in the cbox made me add to my list:

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Eyrie celebrations- Generally contain copious amounts of alcohol. If you're not drinking, chances are another person there will make you drink. It's how riders roll. As a result, wide-scale drinking games are encouraged.

[‡§åkørü‡]

Everyone's already stated aspects of my opinions regarding the riders and simourvs (Aburoqaph ftw), so I'll leave those out.

But I do have a couple of curses and expressions that I invented and/or think I saw mentioned elsewhere. Or that are just occurring to me.

Skies/skies above - similar to Zeis' 'by the sky above,' it's a bit like "oh my god" or "jesus christ" xD
Simourv teeth - kind of like saying "you're full of it" because simourvs don't have teeth.
Koxi bite you - "I'm sick of you"
Like a green near a Flight - crazy or moody
Oblivious as a rainbow - pays no attention to the obvious. Think of Aburo and you'll know.
Rainbow-brained - flighty, doesn't pay attention. Again, based off of Aburoqaph, whom I know QUITE well. XD

EDIT: I've now included the following curse in my list, since Ts'kal just used it:

Skies above and koxi below - "good god."

[/center]

[Kat]

Actually,just as a note about swears, and I think Sakky's are awesome and should certainly be spread, but I'm not sure that there would be that many simourv based swears around. Since the sims are so new, and all; it seems to me that maybe some of the riders could use phrases like that, and other riders could pick them up, but among Pohono, such slurs would probably not be used.

I do image that a lot of people use koxis as insults.
I can imagine Sylvester calling someone "the son of a fucking snaggle-toothed koxi," or something similar.

On that same note, I also bet some of the earth lingo/ earth curses exist.
Of course, expletives have been used IC, and I imagine they would hold very similar connotations. But I also think that some of the other common forms of cursing might stay, even though the basis of what made them bad has faded out entirely. It has not been that long since Pohono was settled, and I think it would not be unheard of for people to say 'damn,' 'God,' or even something like 'Goddamn,' etc. Of course, the word words would have completely lost their meaning, but so have most of the curse words we use today.

So words like that might persist simply because people use them as curses, and they would really only be kind of meaningless bad words to throw around in moments of trouble or pain.

I've noticed a small trend of characters gravitating to the color or similar colors to their simourvs when they dress. I think it might be interesting to play around with the idea that riders like to or are socialized to prefer the colors of their simourvs. I'm not saying that everyone dress in solid shades of blue or anything, but rather that smaller items are often selected in simourv colors. Like scarves, hats, belts, bangles, etc.

Just a thought.
I really should post here more--I've just been a bit too lazy.