Dragon Masters of Zekira Character Creation

Status / Rank

Check over each option carefully, and note the information given at the bottom of the page

I want my character to start with a Low rank so they might advance later

This character might be one of several Status. First among these is Slave, then Bayaran, then Free Worker.

Slaves have existed on Zekira since the planet was colonized over 10 thousand years ago. Slaves are usually happy with their situation, since they are given housing, food and such. Some are treated better than others. Most Slaves on Zekira work fields or provide menial labor for their superiors. They are Owned by those of Status Owner or above. Even some Slaves have a higher education than many Free workers, because they are expected to perform in social situations for their owners, serving food or entertaining, providing cosmetic attention like hair dressing or clothing tailoring.

Why would a Slave become a Dragon Master? Because they might have a Dragon Tuned psionic power. A Slave can buy themself out of their ownership if they are awarded a large prize of money (say at a steed race, or for performing a feat of heroic rescuing), or they could be "sponsored" out of their status into Bond by someone buying them from their Owner and Raising them.

Some Slaves continue to be Slaves as well as Dragon Masters. These are often owned by Breeders who have created them specifically for the purpose of riding or commanding dragons.

It is the least likely Status to be able to rise from, as it is always up to the Owner to release or sell the Slave. UNLESS... if they are found to be abused (especially a female) by their owner, and it can be proven that the Owner would do it again.

Bayaran is the next Status up from Slave. It indicates that the person has become seriously in debt to someone, and is now working off that debt. Instead of just "paying off the Visa a month at a time" the Bayaran person actually works FOR the person or organization which paid their debt.

Bayarans aren't in debt for some piddly thing like buying a cd or a dvd on the credit card. It's a 1200 credit dental job they don't have a way to pay off; it's a dead Steed they were meant to be taking to a race and wound up getting killed on the street; it's property damage or major injury to someone of a higher Status than they.

Anything they had before they became Bayaran will revert to them when they pay off their debts, but for now, and usually for a number of years, they're working ONLY to pay their Membayar or Bond Agent.

Bonds usually work less menial but still undesirable jobs such as mining or other skilled labor. They are also called upon to do secretarial or personal servant duties.

Why would a Membayar be a Dragon Master? Because while they were paying off their debts, their powers surfaced, or they happened to prove physically able to ride or control a dragon. Usually, their pay scale goes up quickly as a Dragon Master, especially if they do their job well!

However, it's also possible that they're in Bond to a Breeder or Dragon Breeder, that their Bond agent actually INCREASES the amount of money they owe, claiming that dragon eggs, tack, and training are all quite expensive... It's a catch-22 all around...

Free Workers are the first of the Status on Zekira to work for a living and be able to vote, live where they can afford to, and work in whatever way their education can afford.

Free workers dominate the population of Zekira. Contrary to what you might think, they are the biggest bunch of people, not Slaves. There are actually only about 1 slave per 8 or 9 Free Workers in the world! Free Workers do whatever they can, with their hands, bodies or minds. They can be Steed riders, couriers, teachers, retailers, etc etc. The only condition on them is that they don't have any Land to call their own. They do not own their own home, they rent an apartment or a house from someone who does own it. They can make enough money at a job and buy that land, some day, and it is the goal of most if not all Free Workers to do this.

How could a Free Worker become a Dragon Master? They are usually physically oriented and have the strength and health to do it. Most Free workers aren't psionically inclined, the ones who are have been able to use those powers to gain land or popularity!


Information to keep in mind

SLAVES have no money of their own. They do not own ANYTHING, and CANNOT hold any land. To do that, they must somehow get out of Slavery, usually going through Bayaran, Free Worker, and finally buy their land. It's not impossible but it is very very hard.
Their Age is going to be young, 14 to 20 to start. Their lifespan is around 130 to 220, shorter than other Status due to hard work and less rest.

BAYARAN are paying off a debt, and are usually headed back to a Free Worker status when they have done that. They do not own any land, though they may have some posessions to their name.
Ages of Bonds is similar to Slaves, at 14 to 20. They cannot start paying off their debt until they are of legal age (13 or so), so they will have a LONG way to go for their freedom. Their lifespan is around the same as a Slave, 130 to 220, stress plays a factor.

FREE WORKERS are the bulk of Zekiran society and while they rent their homes, they are very flexible as to what they can do with their jobs. They are often one step away from either Bayaran or Free Land Holder, teetering between. Paying for a bunch of movies might be more important than saving up for a house...They can vote, but not hold office.
A Free Worker's starting age should be around 15 to 20. Their average lifespan is 150 to 250.