A Searching Question

[Jane]

I made a classic blunder and asked *two* people about this ages ago, and seem to remember getting different answers.  Could I get the definitive answer?

This page on 'Sexual Orientation, Gender, and Dragon Color'

http://www.triadweyrs.org/faq.php?fq_id=679

implies that Triad follows Anne's orignal rules about no lesbian women as dragonriders.  Fine, thus far.

What I'd like to know is the IC approach to Search dragons' response to women who would otherwise be suitable (i.e., they are telepathic) but for their sexual orientation (lesbian or bisexual).

A = The Search dragons take no interest in lesbian or bisexual women.

B = The Search dragons react to telepathic suitablity so lesbian and bisexual women can become Candidates and Stand, but then no hatchling can find a 'match' with a lesbian or bisexual woman so Impression never occurs.

Despite all the writing here, it's for a one-line mention in a post! :laughing5:

[emma]

I seem to remember having a discussion on this some time ago (correct me if I'm wrong Bree), where we said lesbian/bisexual women could stand as candidates, but wouldn't impress as the dragons wouldn't find them a suitable match

[Bree]

I believe we decided that they were unlikely to be Searched from the Holds/Halls, but it was possibley those who grew up in the Weyr could decide to Stand. They just wouldn't Impress.

[Jane]

Okay.  That looks like one B

Search dragons recognise the telepathy; hatchlings don't find suitable lifemates among the Searched lesbian women

and one A

Search dragons don't react to telepathy in lesbian women

answer to me. Were you the two I asked before?

:laughing5:

Here's another question, then.  IC, do the weyrfolk understand that hatchlings won't choose lesbian and bisexual women?

I know this is difficult because it's not a very logicial moment of Anne-science but it would be nice to know the IC mechanism that Triad approves.

[Bree]

Actually, Jane, we did not disagree. ;)

Emma said they could stand as candidates. And they certainly can! In character, I doubt anyone is going to say "But women who like other women will never Impress!"

However! Search dragons are not likely to find them very often. So the only way they're going to be Standing as candidates is if they are born at the Weyr. They may occasionally be Searched (just like other people who will never Impress are sometimes Searched).

Since Search is not performed within the Weyrs, being allowed to Stand and being Searched are too different things. ;)

Here are the rules the Council decided:

1) Bisexual/Gay women will be searched VERY RARELY and will never Impress, because that's what Anne McCaffrey said and we still follow the original rules.

2) IN CHARACTER the characters are not checking Anne McCaffrey's rulebook, and while they may have suspicions, I doubt they have a "Guide To Impression" pinned up anywhere, so any person in the Weyr and any person who is Searched can Stand.

Does that make more sense, Jane?

[Jane]

Thank you for your replies.