Robinton

Robinton, also known as "The Harper", is a fictional character in Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern series.

Role within the Pern Chronicles

Robinton is a central character in many different Dragonriders of Pern books set in the Ninth Pass. When Anne McCaffrey first wrote about him in "Dragonflight", his character was a sketchy representation of the Harper Craft Hall. In "Dragonquest" his personality became more fully developed and this process was continued throughout "Dragonsong", "Dragonsinger" and "Dragondrums". In "The Masterharper of Pern", the story of young Robinton is the canvas for developing the backstory alluded to throughout the original Pern Chronicles.

The early stories of Robinton's life allowed McCaffrey to develop characters such as F'lon, father of F'lar and F'nor, and Silvina, Camo and Shonagar of the Harper Hall. McCaffrey also used him to expand the story of Fax, allowing Robinton to provide an extra perspective on scenes that were some of her earliest writings. [McCaffrey, Anne "The MasterHarper of Pern"]

Masterharper

Robinton, as the Masterharper, embodies McCaffrey's ideals for the Harper Hall. A musical prodigy, he surpassed both his parents by composing popular songs throughout his childhood, and becoming a Journeyman harper at fifteen. He was faced with professional jealousy (which caused estrangement from his father when young), similar to that which challenged Harpers Menolly and Piemur in "Dragonsinger" and "Dragondrums".

A wise diplomat, teacher and leader, he helped the Benden Weyrleaders, Lessa and F'lar, deal with the return of Thread and the Oldtimers, gaining the love and respect of everyone on Pern. Of course, McCaffrey ensured that he had redeemable character flaws, such as his great fondness for wine (particularly Benden wine), which could be said to have saved his life in one point in "The White Dragon", when he suffered a heart attack.

When Robinton eventually stepped down as Masterharper and retired to Cove Hold on the Southern Continent, he became close friends with Lytol, former Lord Warder of Ruatha Hold and a former Benden brown rider, as well as D'ram, rider of bronze Tiroth and a former Oldtimer Weyrleader of Ista. This friendship reflects the lessening of the isolation and rigidly controlled autonomy of Weyr, Hold and Hall, which was a constant theme of the original Pern Chronicles.

Upon the discovery of Landing and the Artificial Intelligence Voice-Address System (AIVAS) at the end of "The Renegades of Pern", Robinton, D'ram and Lytol took over joint administration of the Landing facility, leading the efforts to both end the onslaught of Thread and to modernize Pernese society. In "All the Weyrs of Pern", "traditionalist" Pernese attempted to end what they perceived as AIVAS' "destructive" influence on their society by drugging Robinton's food and drink, kidnapping him and holding him for ransom in exchange for AIVAS' destruction. Robinton was quickly found and rescued, but the effects of the overdose took its toll on Robinton's health. After the Red Star's orbit was altered and ensuring that the current Pass would be the last, he died peacefully in the AIVAS chamber, shortly after AIVAS shut itself down. His fire-lizard Zair, like a dragon following his rider, died with him - thus alerting the dragons all over Pern.

Robinton was laid to rest in the waters of his beloved Cove Hold, and every dragonrider, Lord Holder and Craftmaster on the planet turned out for the service. His death was a metaphor for the end of the great struggle with Thread, which had consumed the lives of all Pernese since shortly after Landing on Pern.

Family

*Parents: Mastercomposer Petiron and Mastersinger Merelan (Robinton was named after Merelan's father, Roblyn)
*Spouse: Kasia (she died after their honeymoon)
*Son: kitchen drudge Camo, mentally retarded (with Silvina)
*Cousin: Sebell (on Merelan's side)
*Bronze fire-lizard: Zair

References