Weyrling Guide

Hello, I'm Zephyr, Player of the WeyrlingMaster P'alo. Congratulations! You've Impressed a dragonet! That's wonderful. You and your lifemate are going to spend a lot of time together from here on out. There's a few things you should know about weyrlinghood, about what to expect over the next Turn and a half (18 months).

The first thing, is that your whole life has just changed. Now you are in charge for caring for a living, breathing, intelligent creature, your lifemate. It's kind of like caring for a baby at first, which means your entire existence revolves around your dragonet, for when its hungry, you're hungry, and when it hurts, you hurt. That's because you and your dragonet share a special bond that links you two mentally, physically, and emotionally. But don't worry, you don't have to go through everything alone, because you're part of a weyrling class, or a clutch. You have other newly-Impressed people to help you out. You'll also attend classes so that you can educate yourself about your dragonet, how to utilize your dragonet's skills, and how you and your dragonet must work as a team with others to fight Thread.

Weyrling life is pretty hectic. Farther down the hide you'll see a general daily schedule. Take my word for it that it's just pretty general. Weyrlings Classes are held twice daily and attendence is mandatory. Weyrlings are still required to take part in chores around the Weyr, and if you are part of a Craft, you'll have to dedicate some of your time to the Craft as well. But, first and foremost comes the care of your dragonet.

Newly-hatched dragonets require much more care and attention than older ones. A new dragonet needs to eat and be oiled constantly throughout the day, but most of all, it needs your love and attention. You have to develop a bond, a friendship with your dragonet, and you can only do this through good old TLC (Tender Love and Care). Which means when you're not at class, eating, doing chores, or working with your Craft, you're probably with your dragonet. Often, weyrlings try to care for their dragonets in groups so they get a bit of social time with their friends too. It's a good way to kill two wherries with one stone. And when you finally get to go to bed, believe me, you'll be tired.

Weyrling Class Guide

NORMAL SCHEDULE OF RP's:
Weyrling Class One: Basic Care
Weyrling Class Two: Firestone
Weyrling Class Three: Dragontoss (Firestone Toss)
*Weyrling Class Four: Straps
Weyrling Class Five: First Flights
Weyrling Class Six: "Between"
*Dragonets do not attend the first three classes. May be present for straps (see the specific note for that class) but ARE DEFINITELY present for Class Five and Six.

ADDITIONAL CLASSES: (most are not RPed)
Aerial Recognition
Armscraft: Basic Defense
Dragon Communication (class for riders to help them deal with their new partner inside their head)
Dragonhealing
Dragontoss 2: Aerial (dragons and riders)
Drills: Maneuvers, Ground and Aerial (after first flights, dragons too)
Goldrider Classes
The Gossip Game (dragons only)
Hand signals
Healing
Knots: Making and Recognizing
Maps, Holds and Weyrs
Mating Flight Class (usually separate for males and females)
Proper Chewing of Firestone (dragons and riders)
Wing Formation: Standard and Unique Wing Formations
Wing Strengthening Exercises (dragons and riders)



Class One: Basic Care - This class is always the First Morning after the Hatching. Life begins well before dawn, with the weyrlings waking up to learn how to take care of their lifemates. The first thing is to bathe and oil the dragonets. A full dragonet is a sleepy dragonet. So, the first thing weyrlings learn how to do is feed their dragonets. They make their way over to the Weyrlake, where the WLM's dragon will have 'breakfast' waiting. After they've cut up the meat, they must bathe their dragonets in the water using sand from the bottom to lightly scrub away the dead skin. Then they oil the dragonets. Oil jars and paddles can be found in little open storage huts on the edge of the lake that are there with that purpose in mind. Then the dragonets are put to bed so the weyrlings can get cleaned up and be in the Dining Hall in time for their own breakfast before they begin the day.

Class Two: Firestone - This class begins within a few days of Impression. It is held in the Weyrling Classroom. Firestone of all shapes and sizes fill the various tables in the room. The idea is for weyrlings to learn how to identify good and bad firestone. Good firestone is neither extremely hard or powdery, rather a good solid stone that can brake into nice pieces fairly easily. A good test is dropping a piece from chin heighth and seeing what happens. If it doesn't brake or it crumbles, it's a bad piece. If is only brakes into a few pieces, it's good. The idea is for weyrlings to learn the texture so that they can begin to identify good stone on sight. The next step is sizing. Generally, for a full-grown dragon, nothing bigger than their eye should be used. Weyrlings use the 'no smaller than your fist, and no bigger than your head' rule since their dragonets are too small to base their decisions on. From this point on, weyrlings are responsible for bagging two to three bags of firestone every day, no matter what. Bags of firestone come in two sizes: large and small. Large bags are used for bronzes and browns, while blues and greens use the smaller. Brown and green ties are used to differentiate the bags. Weyrlings also learn that they are never to get firestone near gold and Silver dragons, and that includes the smell that remains on their clothes after they finish bagging. It is believed that firestone renders Gold and Silver queens infertile, and no one takes any chances in that regard.

Class Three: Dragontoss - Dragontoss is a little deceptive. No one would ever think of tossing dragons around. Rather, in this game, bags of firestone are tossed. Weyrlings start this in their 3rd Month of weyrlinghood. The weyrlings gather in a circle, usually color-coded in some way, and toss the bag(s) about. It is taught that you ALWAYS call out the other person's name and wait for them to give the 'OK' signal before tossing the bag. Surprising a rider with a 15 lb bag of rocks could end up with a serious injury. As the weyrlings progress at the game, elements are added to make it harder. The weight of the bag increases (up to 30 lbs), there is a circle that every rider must stay within, the distance between riders is increased (up to a dragonlength away), etc. Once the dragons themselves are flying, the game is played on dragonback, and eventually, in the air.

Class Four: Straps - Weyrlings, like all riders, are in charge of making and maintaining their own riding straps. This is an exciting class since it means they are getting close to the time they will be allowed to ride their dragons in the sky. Weyrlings are taught the basics of tannery either by the WLM, or a tanner at the Weyr. Straps with tears in the leather can never be fixed, only replaced. The cold of "between" can make such tears brittle, causing the strap to break, maybe at an inopertune moment. Buckles, snaps, and such items are what are fixed on straps. The harness fits underneat the dragon's forearms and around the base of the neck. The rider is secured in place by a harness. Fighting straps usually only have one harness, while other sets of straps might have more to accomodate other passengers.

Class Five: First Flights - This is a very critical class for weyrlings. Up to this point, they have not been allowed to mount or ride their dragons except under strict supervision. Weyrlings learn how to mount and sit on their dragons about a sevenday before they actually get to fly. Dragons (who really can fly since birth) have been doing wing excercises for awhile now, and have recently been allowed to practice take-offs and landings, under supervision. The first flight is simple, with the pair taking off, and circling the Bowl twice, staying below the Rim. After the flight is over, the rider must check the dragon's wings for any signs of strain. After this, flights will be a daily part of the routine, and dragons will be allowed to hunt for themselves.

Class Six: "Between" - This is the class the Weyrlingmaster hates the most. For a while now, the weyrlings have been practicing place recognition and recall, sending images to their dragons and from dragon to dragon and back to the riders again. It's usually less than two months after the dragons have learned to fly. This is in anticipation of going "between", where the proper image makes all the difference in Pern. The first time weyrlings go "between", it is usually to someplace easy, like the Bowl Rim, the Fireheights, the Red Butte, etc. Another experienced dragon and rider go ahead to meet the weyrlings at their destination while the WLM remains with them to direct them. The weyrlings are told to make sure their dragons check the images with the WLM's dragon before taking off. Some weyrlings are lost "between", but most make it. It is a scary time for the WLM. After this, trips "between" are made daily, increasing in distance and varying in place.

DRAGON GROWTH AND ACTIVITY CHART BY CLASS:


Class One-Class Two: Dragonets sleep most of the time and demand attention and food when they are awake. Period of initial bonding and adjustment for lifebonded pair.

Class Three-Four: Dragonets are growing rapidly and eating more, sleeping less. They are more curious about their environment and surroundings and the social interactions of their riders and other dragons (GOSSIPING!). Still NOT ALLOWED TO FLY, the dragonets will begin wing strengthening exercises to prepare for their first flights. Still do not hunt on their own (usually the WLM's dragon hunts for the entire class).

Class Five: Almost full size, the dragonets have strengthened their wings and will begin to fly. After the first flight class, dragons do daily loops of the Bowl UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE WLMs. At this point, the weyrlings move into weyrling weyrs and the also have shuttle duty (taking people to various levels of the Weyr if they wish) and may make small ground flights with riders as long as they stay BELOW BOWL RIM (dragons can go above the rim without the riders, but may not leave the Weyr's cone). They also hunt on their own. At this point, green dragons may have their first mating flights and w'ling male dragons may begin to partake in flights. Weyrlings may once again become sexually active w/consent of dragon AND WLM. Also, mental recognition classes begin along with aerial wing formation drills.

Class Six: Weyrlings are cleared to go out of Weyr with consent of WLM as long as they are accompanied by a FULL RIDER and the destination is within FLYING DISTANCE (NO "BETWEEN" UNTIL AUTHORIZED!!!!). UNDER SUPERVISION OF WLMs, weyrlings learn to go "between" and start with going small distances and eventually cross the continents. Dragons are full grown and will also be learning to chew firestone and flame at this point. Weyrlings also now have firestone duty to Wings during Threadfall and shuttle bags to refill wing supplies. This generally does result in some Theadscore injuries and the weyrlings have been 'blooded.' Note: This class takes the most time and from the time they learn to go "between" to graduation is usually 4-5 months, depending upon weyrling progress.

Month 1: Dragonets still very young, sleep mostly. Classes 1 & 2

Month 2: Dragonets still sleep and eat mostly. Class 2

Month 3: Dragonets beginning to be more active, and growing. Daily exercises are done to develop muscles. Classes 2 & 3

Month 4-7: Dragonets becoming more active. Growing a lot. By the 7-month, they are almost 50% of their full size. The majority of additional classes are during this time as well. Ground drills begin as well as learning maneuvers and hand signals. Class 3

Month 8-10: Dragonets are inquisitive and getting into trouble. They are also very active socially and are forming the bonds that will help them work better as a team. WLM and dragon will conduct social games for dragons, which also help to strengthen communication between rider and dragon. Lots of daily exercise is needed INCLUDING wing strengthening, and they are eating less now, more like every other day or so, according to their own metabolism. Classes 3 & 4

Month 11: Dragonets are very active, very involved in their rider's lives. A few of the greens might begin to show signs that they are getting ready to mate. At this time, the WLM should teach the weyrlings about mating flights and what to and not to expect. It is also at this point that rider's may become sexually active again, BUT ONLY with the permission of the WLM, who will make sure that your dragon is alright with the emotions that his/her rider will be experiencing. The riders of Queen dragonetts are not given these rights though. This is also the time period that the weyrlings are taking their first flights, towards the beginning of the month. During the month, the length and duration of their flights are lengthened. The dragons are over 60% of their full growth size and after first flights, they can hunt on their own. Towards the end of the month, short flights in the Bowl are allowed, but the dragons are not allowed to go above Rim level, and there will be sevenday inspections of the dragons by dragonhealers. Class 5

Month 12: At this point, many of the green, guilded and garnet dragons will rise, and the bronzeranks, brownranks and blueranks will probably give chase. Their wings are going to be getting stronger by the day, and they will be getting agile as well. Flights are still kept short, but riders begin shuttle duty, taking people to different levels of the Weyr. Flights out of the Weyr are still not allowed, and must be below rim-level. Weyrlings move into weyrling weyrs. Sevenday inspections still occur. Aerial drilling begins, starting with basic formation of a wing, and moving on to cover maneuverability, agility, and different flight patterns. Dragontoss begins a dragonback as well starting with the dragons on the ground, and eventually moving to the dragons being airborne while their riders throw and catch firestone. Aerial recognition classes begin, along with memorization of Pernese maps, Holds, Halls, and Weyrs, and who's who among them. Class 5

Month 13: Flights are getting longer in length and duration. Dragons are allowed to go anywhere within a straight flight of the Weyr (NO "BETWEEN"!) as long as they are accompanied by a full-rider. Aerial recognition and memorization continues, along with aerial drills and dragontoss. Inspections are increased to twice a sevenday. At some point during this month, whenever the WLM feels the w'lings are ready, they begin their hardest class. The WLM will send a rider ahead to a destination and each weyrling will go "between", one by one. After this initial lesson, there are daily flights "between" to different destinations, starting with those closest, and eventually moving across continents. Anyone caught going "between" without permission of the WLM will be held back from graduation! Class 6

Month 14-15: Aerial drills increase in duration and intensity, lasting for 6 hours, the regular length of Threadfall, and dragons begin to learn how to maneuver while going "between" and avoid collisions. Greens and Blues are expected to drill for a minimum of 4 hours, though they usually only fly Thread for 3. The WLM drills them harshly, and in all kinds of weather, except those conditions that would be dangerous to dragon and rider, those which Threadfall is not flown. The WLM is relentless because soon the weyrlings will be shuttling firestone to riders during Threadfall (If during a Pass) and flying 'dummy' wings, and he must make sure they are prepared. Dragontoss distances are increased to those found between dragons in a wing. It is during this time that wingleaders will begin scouting for their future wingmates. Weyrlings are allowed to go on trips "between" if accompanied by a full-rider, and all short trips that don't require going "between" still must be supervised. Aerial recognition and memorization is still continued, and inspections are three times a sevenday. Threadfall Games begin, with riders dropping dyed pieces of fabric down for the dragonets to flame. Instruction in flaming Thread is given to dragons at this time as well. Class 6.

Month 16-17: Weyrlings begin the dangerous duty of shuttling firestone up to riders during Threadfall (If during a Pass). Many weyrlings will be hit by Thread, and this is termed being 'bloodied.' The w'lings are not to flame Thread unless they are in danger of being hit, and they should go "between" before attempting to flame if possible (this is to keep any daredevil weyrlings from trying out any heroics). Aerial drills are still 6 hours in length, though after a real Threadfall and shuttle duty, all weyrlings are given the day off. Trips "between" and out of the Weyr still require a full-rider. Aerial recognition and memorization is slowly decreased in intensity as the weyrlings become confident in their own abilities. Inspections are three times a sevenday and an additional inspection after Threadfall. On another note, queen dragons may be getting close to rising soon. Class 6.

Month 18: During Threadfall, half the weyrlings will have shuttle duty, and the other half will be flying a 'dummy' wing at the same altitude as the Queen wing. There they will have the opportunity to flame true Thread while not having to endure the true intensity of Threadfall. Near the end of the month, they progress from the Queen wing, to flying in the real wings after being paired with senior riders. Aerial drills are still 6 hours, with rest day after Threadfall. Aerial recognition and memorization is now only an occasional pop-quiz. Inspections remain at 3 times a sevenday and an additional inspection after Threadfall. This is the final month of weyrlinghood, though the WLM reserves the rights to delay graduation if he feels the majority of weyrlings are not ready. Flights "between" and outside of the Weyr require a full-rider or a group of three or more weyrlings. Class 6.

Graduation: At this time, the WLM feels that the weyrlings are capable of fighting Thread and going "between" competently. If he feels the majority of weyrlings are not, then graduation will be delayed until they are. If he feels that a particular weyrling is not ready, he will delay the placement of that weyrling into the fighting wings until he feels the weyrling is ready (the weyrling will take part in the graduation ceremony however). It is at this time that the weyrlings receive their knots as a full-rider, with all the privileges that accompany them. They also receive their wing placement. If a Queen dragonet has not yet risen before graduation, her rider is released from chastity. Weyrlinghood is over.