Just a topic I meant to post a few weeks ago when someone referred to 60 as "elderly". Several of my personas voiced vehement protest to that idea. :really:
Pernese lifespans (for non-riders) are longer than the 70-75 years here on Earth. A man in his 40-50s is in his prime, not his dotage.
Riders in their 40-50's are still going to be active and strong in a fighting wing, retiring from fighting only when their dragon's wing-joints begin to get too stiff to maneuver well. Even then, they perform valuable tasks for the Weyrs, from Search to watch and transport duties. Granted, during a Pass a rider probably has a shorter lifespan than the average holder or crafter, due to both Threadfall deaths/injuries and just general stressors on the body.
But you won't see any of MY guys (or gals) doddering about on canes... (well, except Jadeah, and she had a stroke, and watch out - she's dangerous if that cane decides to leave the ground to stop errant bronzeriders....)
So keep in mind that personas like the following aren't "old" - but in their prime!
RBW Weyrleader U'das (58)
RBW Weyrwoman Tsaera (65)
RBW WLM J'an (50)
DCW WLM M'calk (61)
DCW healer Syehonan (56)
DCW wingsecond T'layn (50)
DFW greenrider R'haran (60)
Occhipinti is a hale and hearty (hardy?) 65 tuurns of age, and still going strong. And I certainly would not wish to cross either of the women in his life, either the lovely Selora (tact forbids me from disclosing the lady's age), and his mother, Lira. At 85 she is still an active practicianer of her craft, and sharp as a tack.
Dayla's 41 and certainly doesn't think of herself as old.
She was my reaction to all the teenaged/youthful greenrider's. *g* I wanted sexy, older and confident and Weyrbred with none of the angsty hangups about Weyrlife...hopefully she's as well rounded as I sought out to make her. :)
~Nici
Still, a cane would make K'sedel (61) look so respectable and dignified! *g*
Chorelia is 80 and although she could be refered as old, she's far from dotage....
I started the thread because it really does bug me to see Earth prejudices on age rampant in a society with a 100+ lifespan on folks who are well-cared for.
It's even sadder b/c I've seen my grandfather cut and load pulpwood (trees with no tops or limbs folks TREES!) up until he was in his late-60s, and that's here on mundane old terra.
So why not create a few older folks and help those of us who enjoy the older sect of society show off what they can do?
mmmm, with Lira up for adoption, I guess I can not really claim to have an elder.
OK, I am up to the challenge. I can do an old persona. But I do not promise s/he will be pleasant. I have in mind a cranky old f*rt that knows it was better in the "good old days"
Vebrindil, my dear smithhallmaster, is 57. He's still a young spring chicken. And no, his hearing impairment is _NOT_ because of age, thank you very much.
*eg* I have plans for two very different persona's...both over 68 Turns young! :)
~Nici
I only call Artias "old" because he's a *@#&$%@. It had nothing to do with his age. M'calk is just starting to have fun and if it wern't for his tendency to ramble Z'zav would be fine.
QuoteOriginally posted by Rebecca
I only call Artias "old" because he's a *@#&$%@.
I am thinking I may have to agree with you there
Half of my characters are over 40, and I'm working on a sheet (or two) for characters who are 60-70. And Tsaera says thank you for the reminder ... she might not be a spring chicken, but she's by no means a dotty old woman! :P
Dyrbehersker is 57. All of my other personas are part of the happy little Pern fantasy we all love so much where everyone is between 20 and 29, except for Aislynn. *shakes head* I need more variety...*goes off to make Evil Plans*
I don't have any older sonas, but I do have an great uncle who's like 80 something and he would still chop all the wood he would need for over the winter (had a wood burning boiler something or other) and in wisconsin that means a lot of wood... but then they are the weird aunt and uncle. I swear they never age, them and thier dog. Maybe it has something to do with living in wisconsin for so long.
I like my personas young so they can gorw older with the club :) I intend on being here for a while :D