Search Cycle Walk-Through: Thoughts to Keep in Mind

Obviously, you know best your own reasons for applying for search; you know what you hope for with your character's growth and goals. But there are a couple aspects we'd like to you to keep in mind:

Familiarize yourself with your character. This is vitally important. RPing a rider isn't a great thing, it's RPing your character as a rider that brings the enjoyment. And, once the first flush of getting to RP a dragon has worn thin, it's the strength of who your character is (their history, likes, opinions, dislikes, approach to life, etc) that will keep him alive and vivid for you. If you don't know who he is by the time hatching comes about, how will you figure out how he'll change with a lifemate? Candidacy is a great time for character exploration and growth, but knowing what your character's opinions and thoughts are about the world, sacrifice, danger, etc.--who he or she is--before search is very important. Klah tastes just the same before impression as it does after. For more some tips for developing your character, check out our Character Creation page.

Figure out what you'd like to be doing with your character; be honest with yourself and with us. If your goal is to impress bronze because you'd one day like to be Weyrleader--by all means, let us know! We want to make sure we don't seat you on a color that we thought you'd like, but after impression, realize you don't really enjoy it after all. That is a waste of your time, your character, and a dragon that someone else would have enjoyed playing. So once you know what you want, go after it! Let us know what it is you want out of the game.

Impression at Ista means a commitment to the Weyr. If you don't care for the Weyr, then it's probably not the right fit for you. In part, this is what candidacy is to help you decide, but there's no time like the present to learn and explore. If you discover at any point that you don't think Ista is right for you or that you would like to wait to impress, don't worry! You can withdraw at any time or choose to be a Stand Only candidate. We want you to have the best time possible; if that means being a rider at Ista --great! If not, we're happy to talk to you and help you figure out what would work better.

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