Master Harper of Pern

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Player Info

Name: Effluo

Contact Info: AIM – EffluoSmaragdus YIM – Effluo_Smaragdus or Smaragdus87 MSN – Effluo Email – [e-mail]


Character Information

Name: Conaire

Gender: Male

Age/Birthday: 63

Orientation: Heterosexual

Rank: Master Harper of Pern

Location: Harper Hall, Fort Hold

Affiliation: While Conaire is defiantly not hostile towards anyone, there is no way in fall that he would sit by idle with the turmoil that was arising between the holds. A man of action, Conaire fits the Harper profile better than any man as his action is one that takes place behind the scenes.

Standing: Quite possibly the only man on the Northern Continent who knows the complete truth behind the stories and ballads, Conaire knows that the dragonriders are alive and well. Even now he bespeaks them and prepares for their arrival with thread.

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Family: The son of a harper, it only stands to reason why Conaire’s love of knowledge and music should grow as he did within the walls of the Harper Hall.

Father: Connul (Deceased) a master of the harper craft, Connul was a man who was never spectacular in carrying a tune. Instead, his defining feat was his love for the records within the hall. Having grown up in the hall just like his father before him, he had spent much of his childhood within the records room. As a master, he was the one in charge of his beloved room and taught many students the importance of such records and their keepings.

Mother: Luaire (93 turns) a simple drudge when she came to work in the hall, she was instantly found by the young teenager Connul. Each intrigued by the other, it was no surprise that they’d be caught often sharing stories over a cup of Klah. The years that followed Connul’s journeyman knot was the hardest for Luaire as she missed the imaginative man much. Upon his masters knot, however, her life turned for the better. Giving birth to their first child, it was quickly decided that they should be wed formally and so it was done. Today Luaire lives in comfort and though she misses her deceased husband, she keeps in careful touch with each of her six children.

Sister: Lunna (64 turns) is the oldest daughter of Luaire and Connul. Following her heart rather than her mother’s wishes, she married a journeyman healer. Having seven children to the man, they both now live in Nerat Hold. She writes her mother with every caravan that heads in that direction.

Sister: Shivori (60 turns) is the third child and waisted little time following her older sister’s footsteps, once again to her mother’s dismay. Married to a master weaver, she lives with him at the Weaver Hall and has had five children, all of which now live their own lives. At the Hall she has more chances to write than her older sister and does so.

Brother: Renul (58 turns) was the second son and quickly followed his brother’s example rather than that of his sisters. Taking up apprenticeship in the harper hall, however, he quickly learned music was not his strong point. Changing ambitions, he went to the weaver hall at about the same time as his older sister and earned his journeyman knot. He is now posted at a small hold outside of Teglar with his wife and three youngest children as his other two have moved out.

Sister: Ponre (53 turns) did not leave her mother like her older sisters. Instead she took up working with the cooks in the Harper Hall. Marrying one of them, she has seven children of her own, all of which spent lots of time with their grandparents before following their own ambitions.

Brother: Nolar (deceased) not one for music like his father and oldest brother, he apprenticed at the healer hall instead. An accident with a runner during his second year as a journeyman, however, took his life leaving a wife and two children.

First Wife: Tonora (58 turns) was five turns younger than Conaire but that did not stop what she thought was her love for him. Happy was her life with Conaire thru his apprenticeship. As soon as he was assigned for his first term as a journeyman, she found herself with his child. Having the daughter without him, she found herself resenting the man greatly. It did not take her long to decide to love another. She left the babe with Conaire’s parents.

Daughter: Tona (41) was left fro her father to find, but that did not stop the ambitious child. As soon as she was old enough, and to the dismay of her father, she left to join a caravan wanting to travel. Marrying a trader, Tona gave Conaire four grandchildren many of whom had given him great grandchildren. It is a marry time when Tona’s caravan comes to Fort and Conaire does not hesitate to learn what his grandchildren have been up to.

Great-granddaughter: Shari (7 turns) the daughter of one of Tona’s sons, she has a deformed hip making life in the caravan difficult. Because of such, Tona and her children have decided it would be best for her to stay with Loaire and Conaire at the harper hall. She keeps Loaire company during the cold, rainy days.

Second Wife: Shori (deceased) found her way into the loving father’s heart with little trouble. His love for his child was probably what stole her own heart. A master healer herself, she was actually several years older than Conaire. That did not stop their love for each other or for children, however, as she gave him three more before she grew ill from a strange sickness contracted from her patient five turns ago.

Son: Hinb (39 turns) met his wife on his second journeyman term to Ista Hold. Requesting to return there, the previous Master Harper allowed it and Hinb did so for several turns until he finally received his Master knots. A request to remain a permanent harper at the major hold was reviewed and approved. Hinb stays in close contact with his father, keeping him up to date not only on is five grandchildren but on the affairs of the island hold as well.

Son: Drul (37 turns) liked the music he grew up around well enough, but it was not his calling. Instead he left for the Smith Hall as soon as he was able. Becoming an able journeyman, he has married and settled down at a small hold near Tillek. The eight grandchildren he’s given Conaire have made a good start for themselves, all apprenticed or recently gaining journeyman status. The youngest is still at home but is aspiring towards the Beastcraft Hall near home.

Son: Oardo (32 turns) the youngest son, he grew up his mothers son and soon showed a talent for medicine. Apprenticing in the healer hall, he rose thru the ranks quickly and became a journeyman at the age of twenty one, very young for the healer hall. Now, he is back home at the hall for the time being as he studies for his masters testing. He has not yet found the love of his life and seems to be taking his time at it. Conaire is not worried, however.

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Pets: None, unless you count the many grandchildren and great-grandchildren he makes sure visits him whenever possible. The man is rarely seen without one kid or another upon his shoulder or in his hand. If one of his own is not present then he finds someone else’s to spoil for the day. Kids to Conaire are like flits to meatrolls, they are inseparable.

Appearance: Conaire looks every bit the father he is. Could children love anything other than a friendly face and a warm smile? Soft brown eyes are always laughing with the children, wrinkles crinkling at the corners of them show his age. His lips are soft as well, offering a friendly smile that melts more than children’s mistrust of strangers. A single dimple shows when he smiles, the tell-tale sign of his lopsided grin which always leans to the left.

In his youth, Conaire would keep his hair cut short for practical reasons. Now, however, his dark brown hair has fallen past his shoulders but is usually kept in a neat ponytail tied at the back of his neck. He does not cut it for several reasons, the foremost being that his great-granddaughter Shari loves to do his hair like she use to do her grandmother Tona’s. Often times Conaire can be spotted walking back to his apartments with his hair done in many crooked bows and loose braids. With age has come several silver streaks thru the dark brown hair, but rather than bothering Conaire, he finds that he enjoys the contrast.

Like every good harper, Conaire knows the importance of good posture. Not only is it a necessity in voice, but is also very useful when speaking; whether it be to journeymen or to Lord Holders. As it is, Conaire stands a good 5’11”, but even though he looks up to many taller men, his posture and the way he carries himself allows him to demand the attention of those much stronger than himself. Even with his posture, however, his age is showing with his build. Never really a muscular man, he has begun to show a slight stomach. While his elderly mother has pointed this out to him with dismay many times, he is not concerned, it seems to put the children more at ease than they already are. He has the idea in his head that it gives him a more grandfatherly look.

Personality: If one couldn’t guess by the kid in his hand or simply by his appearance, Conaire is a good natured man who loves children. Patient beyond belief, he can sit with a child for hours simply waiting for them to get a single note correct. Good natured, Conaire always has a smile on his face and a compliment on his tongue.

As the master harper, he finds himself working with other masters and journeymen especially. A man who would not sit still in his room unless spending a day with Shari, Conaire is usually found wandering aimlessly thru the Hall and into random classrooms. Many times he is offering friendly advice on an instrument or helping a new apprentice get their fingers right. Conaire is quick to praise for a job well done.

A friendly man above all else, even when doing his duties Conaire handles everyone as an old friend. Meetings in his office are usually done over a cup of klah and a friendly chat which carefully incorporates the orders he has to give as if they were nothing more than talk of the weather. Very rarely does he get serious when giving orders and when he does, it is usually because it has to do with escorting Shari to the healer hall because his mother is not up to it and he has some meeting to attend to.

Thanks to his good nature, very, very few have ever seen him angry. He is quick to forgive and quicker to forget, which makes him so easy-going. His anger, its like a short wick; bright and hot when lit, but quick to go out again. While not a physical man, Conaire’s quick witted tongue more than makes up for what he lacks in fighting techniques.

A man in complete control of himself, the Master Harper is exactly as he should be; a manipulative puppet player. While the strings handed to him have been knotted from years of turmoil, he’s slowly begun to untie them. A new knot has begun to form under the name of Dorin, but it has not phased Conaire the patient man. Too much rested on him solving the puzzle before time ran out.

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History: Conaire was born the second child to master Connul and drudge Luaire, but was their first son. Proud of the fine baby boy, Connul wasted no time showing him off around the Hall. Three turns later brought about their third child, a daughter named Shivori. At five turns of age, Conaire was able to welcome his younger brother, Renul, into the world the same turn he received his first set of pipes to play with.

By the time Conaire turned ten, he was following his father around the Hall. Just like his father, the boy found himself fascinated by the records his father was keeper of. Unlike his father, however, he also enjoyed the outdoor games with his ball and friends. It was that tenth spring that found Conaire welcoming a baby sister into the world. His parents named her Ponre. A little more than a turn later, just as the boy was considering Apprenticeship, he found himself with a baby brother as well, Nolar.

Fall of his twelfth turn, Conaire found a spot for himself as an apprentice in the Harper Hall. Moving out of his parents apartments and into those shared with other apprentices, Conaire adapted quickly as any there and made a lot of friends fast with his easy smile. Studies went well as could be hoped and the oldest son excelled thru his classes.

As an apprentice, he had met his fair share of pretty ladies as well. On in particular stole his heart, Tonora. Tonora was just in truth many years younger than the man and just starting her own apprenticeship at the Hall. The age difference didn’t seem to matter to the two young lovers, however, and dispite his older sister marrying and moving to Nerat and Renul starting his own Harper Apprenticeship, Conaire was content with his own life.

After seeing for Tonora for two years, he finally proposed the same year a journeyman weaver proposed to his younger sister Shivori. The weddings were held together at a spring gather and though Conaire was happy as can be, he was a little surprised when not only Shivori moved out, but Renul followed his closest sibling to try his hand at Weaving instead. It was this turn that Tonora found herself pregnant with Conaire’s first child.

Halfway thru the pregnancy, Conaire passed his Journeyman tests at the young age of 21 turns. Finding himself put on assignment and Tonora still in her studies, they agreed to wait for each other. Conaire left his wife and pre-born child for a small hold outside of Telgar.

A turn later he returned, but not to the loving wife he had hoped to. Instead he found his parents with a baby girl and his wife nowhere to be found. According to his parents she had left the babe and gone with another man whom she was planning on marrying. Devastated, Conaire named the babe Tona after her mother for lack of a better name and requested to help masters within the Hall so he could raise his kid himself. The request was approved and he helped to teach drumming messages and scribing.

It was this same year that he met Hanella. Tona had come down with a slight cough and Conaire, being an overly protective, single father had rushed the babe to the healer hall. Hanella reassured him and gave him a herbal pack to let the babe sleep on to clear her congestion. Conaire was extremely thankful and returned to Hanella every chance he got to ask questions about the babe and to keep her posted on Tona’s health.

At age 23, two turns after meeting Hanella, Conaire found the caring older woman to be more than he had originally thought to him. Proposing once again, the married that fall and Conaire felt much at ease knowing Tona had a mother again. This was the same year that his youngest brother moved into the Healer Hall to begin his own apprenticeship.

A turn later, Hanella found herself with child and that winter gave birth to Conaire’s first son, Hinb. For the first few month’s, the healer had to continually reassure the harper that she would not leave him or the babe. Once it got thru the worrisome man’s head, he found much pride in the baby boy.

That summer Conaire was asked to do another jouneyman term, this time in Lemos to help a master harper with the large hold until a permanent replacement could be found to assist the man. Very unsure he talked it over with his wife for many long hours, not wanting to lose what he had built yet again. Reassured however, Conaire accepted the request and left for half a turn.

When he returned, he was surprised to find his older wife many months pregnant. At the beginning of the new turn, he found himself with a second son who Hanella named Drul after her own father. Conaire didn’t mind and instantly trudged him to his parents apartments to show the boy to his happy grandparents.

A few turns went by and Conaire found himself teaching two fine sons how to kick a ball as well as carry a tune. Finally deciding to study for his masters knot, thanks to a persistant master healer as a wife, Conaire put himself back to the books. That summer brought a new gather during which his youngest sister married and he learned his wife was with child. That winter Oardo was brought into the family as the youngest son.

Conaire’s 33rd birthing day found him with a strange request by the Master Harper. He found himself with some strange orders, but after a good look at the Master behind the desk, he knew not to question them. That fall he met up with some strange men in Benden and escorted them around the surrounding area’s. The men had strange accents and asked many strange questions which Conaire answered as truthfully as he could just as he was told although he found himself rather suspicious as to why.

Upon his return, Conaire did two things; spend extra time with his children whom he had missed dearly and take his masters test. Passing was easier for Conaire than he had expected and he was pleased to find himself stationed teaching beginner classes with the youngest of apprentices. He was a favorite among them as well as a favorite among his childrens friends. Continuously he took them out for picnics and long games of ball.

Thirty six turns found the new master harper pained once again. While he never showed it to his beloved students or children, he grieved the loss of his youngest brother Nolar. Nolar had just received his healer journeyman knots and was stationed at Lemos. On his way there, however, a runner incident occurred which the family had not heard about until several sevendays later.

Two turns later found the harper in turmoil with himself. In one hand he wanted to be happy as any father could be as Tona was marrying and his two oldest sons were both apprenticing. It was the realization that they were leaving the home and that it would be much quieter with just Oardo around that had Conaire upset again. He loved his kids so much that he had a hard time keeping back the tears as he watched Tona leave with the caravan that also took Drul to the Smith Hall. The only constellation the man had was the promise of letters and the knowledge that Hinb was simply across the hall in the students apartments.

That turn, however, Conaire did not have long to dwell on his much smaller family as the master harper called upon him again for another strange assignment. This time he was to take the same strange men to Lemos. It was not to travel the surrounding lands however, they seemed to have already done that here… instead they insisted on staying a few nights at the main hold and the surrounding smaller ones as well. When he escorted them back to the meeting point, he was surprised to find a young lady accompanying them back.

Upon his return, Conaire found his head full of questions. By this time he had made good friends with the Master Harper and finally found the nerve to ask about the strange missions he had been sent on twice now. He was simply told to review his history.

The next turn was spent in the records hall with his father as he tried to find the clues the Master Harper had refered to. The only thing he could possibly find, however, was that of a gold search. But dragon riders had left, had they not? Why would candidates be needed? It just didn’t fit…

In the middle of his new studies, however, Conaire was caught off guard when Oardo approached him asking to apprentice to the Healer Hall. Now much more use to the idea of his children leaving, Conaire approved as it was a worthy trade and the Hall was not far enough to disable possible visits. The next turn good news came as Hinb received his journeyman knots.

Forty-seven turns of life had gone by when Conaire was approached by the Master Harper asking the question so few people ever hear. “Conaire, I want you to replace me. Are you willing?” The Master was still in good health then, but he must have known, must have felt the illness coming on. After telling the truth, the whole truth to Conaire, the Master Harper of Pern fell ill and died that autumn despite the attempts of the many healers. After a vote, the Master’s wishes were granted and Conaire took the place of Master Harper of Pern.

After moving to the Master’s suite, Conaire had a strange surprise when a tall man came out of a passage in his office; a passage he had not known at all about. What saved the shout, however, was the fact that Conaire recognized the man as one of the what he now knew to be a riders he had lead turns before. A long discussion followed as the man demanded to know what came of the late Master Harper and Conaire demanded to know more of the south. It lasted late in the night, but each man left that office feeling much at ease with the other by the time they were done.

Dispite the loss of the previous Master Harper, good news came to Conaire as he received word that not only did Drul receive his Journeyman Knots, but Hinb was marrying a beautiful woman in Ista Hold as well. The loving father sent his best wishes and reguards to both as well as enough marks to celebrate each. That night he opened a bottle of wine and made a date with his wife for the first time since the children had begun to leave their home. He was finally content with them having left. He knew grandchildren were on the way.

As the Master Harper now, Conaire found himself visited every now and then by one of two riders, either the Weyrleader himself, or the man’s second. Both of a place called Lateo hold though the Master was still unsure of where exactly it lay in the undetailed mass that made up the south continent on his maps. Several missions were set up and run, all going smoothly and he quickly gained the trust of the southern riders; men he had grown up thinking were mythical.

The day Oardo showed up in the Harpers apartments again, Conaire was pleased to have learned his youngest child had received his Journeyman Knots. Learning, however, that he was being termed at a small hold outside of Lemos, Conaire was instantly reminded of another baby in the family who had been stationed as a healer at Lemos as well. He had never made it back home. Unsure once again in his life, Conaire made Oardo, his closest son, promise to return home many times before he finally let the young man leave with his blessings. Over the next few turns Oardo returned home many times only to leave again on new terms. He loved his craft, however, just as his mother had.

Several turns later, things at the Harper Hall had fallen into a dull routine for Conaire only to be spiced up by an occasional rider visiting. It was a stormy night, however, when things changed drastically in Conaire’s life, a change that brought a smile back to his slowly ageing face. Tona had come home and not alone. She brought with her one of the many great-grandchildren he had heard about thru letters. Shari.

Meeting Shari it was instantly noticed that something was wrong with the toddler as she never really crawled all that much during the visit. Hanella instantly spoted the problem however, and rather than pointing it out to her worrisome husband, she took Tona aside. It seemed that the woman had already heard of the bad hip that plagued the little girl, which was the cause of the visit. After much talking, Hanella agreed and told Conaire of the real reason Tona had come; to leave the babe where it could be better cared for, the caravan was no place for the disabled. Ready for a child back in his home and instantly attached to this one that obviously needed him, Conaire did not hesitate to agree.

Good and Bad must always be balanced, however, and with that tremendous good, the next turn came the tremendous bad. Hanella, his beloved wife, had fallen ill with a strange sickness from one of her patients. Like the patient, nothing could be done for her and Conaire was forced to watch her slowly slip from his grasp. It was not long after that his father too, passed, but much more peacefully.

Time to morn, however, was not given to the influential man as news came that shocked every man in the north: Crom had fallen to attack. As if that was not enough, knews of Lemos falling as well came before the shock even fell into place. A new and young Lord Holder had begun to take more than his share and no one was in the power to stop him.

A conclave of Lords was called and every Holder and Mastercrafter showed, all worriedly looking to Conaire to settle their fears. One seat remained empty, however, until everyone was beginning to think he wouldn’t show; Dorin’s. Just as tension was beinging to rise between those gathered, Dorin walked in and offered to snap the rubber-band. His statement was brief and simple, one Conaire would never forget simply from the uproar that answered it. “Surrender the Northern Continent to my control.” That was it. He left without so much as a word more and well before Conaire could put in his own. He spent the next three nights calming the shaken Lord Holders and helping them to pull together in a combined defense, careful to keep attacking the obviously stronger holder outright. War was not what they needed.

The next turn, everyone’s fears were answered as several smaller holds including Greenfields fell to Telgar’s prowess. News that returned from the Harpers stationed at the holds under Dorin was surprising to Conaire and he did not know wither to be happy or disturbed. Everyone under Dorin’s control seemed to be happy and seemed to back him completely. In a way it was a relief that they were not suffering, and yet the Master Harper couldn’t help but wonder if one man controlling so much was a horribly bad thing.

Just as Dorin’s conquests seem to have come to a short pause, a new rider came to Conaire in the night. He had seen the man before, but never bespoken him. His name was E’mion and the news he brought of the south seemed just as troublesome as what had been happening in the north. It seemed a power shift had occurred there too with the death of Conaire’s now dear friend the Weyrleader of Lateo. While the death was understandable, Conaire couldn’t help but wonder at the new leader’s ideas and worries. It seemed he no longer felt it safe to come north, not even indisquise. After much talk with the former leader, Conaire knew the importance behind the slow reintroduction of riders before fall… but to stop it now? After so much success? He was relieved to find E’mion did not plan on stopping, simply being far more careful.


Today he is pleased to have finally, after nearly a full turn, helped the riders with yet another mission north. It had been a while since he had last had contact and lots had been shared. The bronze rider it seemed had new ideas ready for the introduction of riders back, but with the current weyrleader still watching him like a wher, it was hard to do so. It seemed that he needed the Master Harpers help more than ever and Conaire is ready to give it. All that distracts him is the occasional picnic with his Shari.

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[Done]

Sorry about splitting it up like that, but I wasn't sure what would fit on a post and what wouldn't and I didn't want half the family on one and half on another post. So live with it. *sticks out tongue*

Tell me what you think! Everyone, not just the mods! He's an important character so I have to make sure he's good by everyone's standards. Any suggestions are appreciated!!!

[dragonmenta]

I really like it. Especially since i just made first Northern Character, who also happens to be a harper, i think it'll be really helpful.

I espcially like dexcriptions of the family, and the history is quite good as well. He seems liek he could be a real person.

Oh, and i'm just wondering, if/when, my Journeyman character gets approved, he is due for a new posting, HG and i were hoping to Keroon, and would you be interested in doing that meeting for his reassignment?

[E]

I had actually planned on doing his assinment meeting and sending him to Keroon. I've decided to attempt to get people populating the north in pieces and the first step is to populate Keroon and the Harper Hall. Now just to recruit some new members... hehehe.

[hrsegrl245]

YAY...Keroon needs people desperately...
And very nice Profile. Its hard to make master crafters...

[dragonmenta]

thankies E.

[shawncameron]

Wow... I like it very nice, especualy the family and the history, they way it was writen alows us to really see and almost draw a timeline of the events in his life

I only have one qualm and it is minor and dose not need any fixing... his description and personality are a bit redundent, we realize that he likes and is good with kids but as that is the most telling feature about him I don't mind it being repeated over and over

[Memorie]

Eh, I like it. It's wierd to say this to an admin type folk but...