- Show, don't tell!
- @notedit is your friend!
- Make all descs a single string or maximum two, with the exception of room descs. Don't try to mimic word wrap by starting a new string every 78 characters, or else when puppets look at you, they get excessively spammed.
- Keep in mind the social status of your patron. Apprentices don't get fancy clothes without a really good reason. =) Try retailoring good hand-me-downs.
- Remember practicality. A red and white riding outfit should be more red than white, since white is hard to clean.
- Respect the viewers. Don't tell them what they feel. "You are amazed by the really great stitching!" is unacceptable.
- Think about how the person will be seen. Don't describe the person as being in the process of dancing, even if it's a dance outfit, since they could have stopped to get a drink. Same goes for turning to smile at someone who looks at them, or even just meeting the observer's gaze.
- Use specific details, but not too many of them. Too few and it could be a generic description, and if you have too many, it's hard to read. Think flow.
- Use details that fit in with the wearer's description so it seems as if the outfit belongs with him or her. The .wearing should flow well from the main part of the .description. If the person is really muscular, use different adjectives than someone who's really scrawny. Same goes for other attributes like hair color.
- Try to be original and interesting without being outre'. Not every dance dress needs to have a tight bodice, low neckline, poofy sleeves, and a full skirt. You don't need to worry about coming up with a dress like nobody's ever seen before, though. =)
- As always, remember to check spelling, grammar, and punctuation. It helps to get another
weaver to proofread.
The world of Pern is copyright © Anne McCaffrey, 1967; The Dragonriders of Pern is a registered trademark of Anne McCaffrey, etc. Dragonsfire MOO is based with permission upon Anne McCaffrey's world and concepts, which are used with great appreciation; no profit-making or copyright infringement is intended. These materials are intended as roleplay aids, and should not be relied upon in RL.
With a journeyman or master as mentor, each apprentice studies sewing, weaving, and tailoring in the best locale on Pern: tropical Southern Boll, known for mangoes, beaches, and the Hold itself, of course. Classes are held mostly off-camera, but roleplayed teaching sessions (no canned lectures!) are encouraged, educational, and entertaining. Subjects range from basics -- spinning, dyeing, knitting, measuring and making patterns -- to more advanced topics like design, embroidery, and decoration.
The craft welcomes both newcomers just getting to know Dragonsfire Pern and longtime players seeking an alt's fresh start. Character-based roleplay is the primary, ultimate focus; no coding is necessary to enjoy Turns and Turns of family-like fun in the hall. However, apprentices whose players desire promotion for their characters will need to complete commissions for several outfits or crafted items, as well as a journeyman project (information for the web pages counts as does, better yet, a complicated tinyplot).
This is a work in progress. If anything isn't easy to understand, go ahead and ask a ranking weaver about it. =)
A huge, huge thanks goes to Windy of Windy's Backgrounds and Borders for providing the background for the Weavercraft.
Last Modified: January 14, 1999
Maintained by Zipporah @ lmeertsbrand@wesleyan.edu