Riders and Old Age

[Kaya]

So since we've had two people ask about maximum age for Riders, what would be a realistic Pernese median death average and so on, I did a little digging. I'd like to see what people think of these sources or if anyone has any remembrances from specific books.

For example, I knew there was a "rather old" GoldRider in Moreta: Dragonlady of Pern. Turns out her name is Leri, of Gold Holth. I can't find an age for her though. One google search estimated Holth as ~45 Turns, which would put Leri around 65 probably. But that was the only numerical response I found. When I get Moreta back from my friend I plan to try and read it again.

Second, DRoP has its own TV Tropes page, as well as a mention on an old age tropes topic.
DRoP Only: tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DragonridersOfPern


DRoP Reference in the Literature section: tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/WizardsLiveLonger

In the Dragonriders of Pern series, dragonriders can live well past 100 during an Interval (a minor character lived to 130 and was at most slowing down). During a Pass, however, the constant combat against Thread tends to give them shorter lifespans.

Even the old Kitchen Table DRoP discussion has something to say about this topic:
www.annemccaffreyfans.org/forum/archive/index.php/t-20280.html

While there is some debate about just how old the character in question is, it seems to have left a lasting impression on the DRoP community (not just me) that some Riders live seemingly ridiculously long lives in the absence of Threadfall. Though in the Table forum they are skeptical of the numbers, they are in the 100s. It makes a Rider in their late 80s seem a bit more likely, even if such a character only had a few more months/Turns left to live.

Thoughts?

[Moo]

At first, to me, it seems a bit odd to have someone living that long. I don't think I could accept just any normal person living that long -- such a long lifespan would have all to do with genetics and keeping yourself fit and healthy as you got older. But, these are dragonriders we're talking about. Both the dragon and the person are intricately linked, so it would make sense that the rider gains some of the dragon's longevity (I am assuming here that dragons naturally have longer lives than humans). This human/dragon longevity is, of course, shortened when there is Thread, if only because it's such a danger to every living thing. The long lifespan makes sense to me if it's only kept to dragons and riders. Otherwise, I don't see any normal person living up to 90-100.

[Kaya]

I could see long lived Riders making sense because of dragons. As a valuable resource, I always assumed that Candidates were so young because that meant the maximum number of viable Turns as a pair and the longest possible life span.

Then outside of Riders I would think older would be exceedingly rare, but not 100% impossible. There are pretty much stories or records of freakishly old people in most stories, if not in history too.

[Moo]

I never thought about that with the Candidates, but it makes sense.

Also, yes about other people who weren't Riders, but it'd have to be very rare, like you said.
(Real life example: my great-grandma turned 91 this year, but she's the exception to the rule, I'd imagine.)

[Kaya]

From BBC:
newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42799000/gif/_42799321_nig_pop_age_gra416.gif

It's a population pyramid. Learned about these babies in my biology class.

I would say Nigeria is not your picture of developed country health, but they have people in their 80s. Not many, but some. So it seems likely enough to be that a lucky few Pernese could reach such an old age.

[Moo]

I didn't know that about Nigeria; I should've remembered population pyramids. I only looked at them about a bajillion times in my high school Sociology class.

I tip my hat to you in agreement.

[Kaya]

I love pop pyramids. So much wonderful info in such an efficient amount of space. <3

[Moo]

(If I could 'like' your comment I would.)

[Kaya]

hehe

[Moo]

Are you a wizard?!
Haha, bravo.

[Jay Kitten]

I always picture R'nos now adays as an old hermit with a hearing problem and back issues who really is healthier than most people and could still throw them over a neighboring mountain if he so desired. I'm pretty sure he's going to be healthy into his 100s.