Weyrling Information Pack

The Weyrling Master will greet each new pair, teaching the weyrling how to feed their dragonet. As the Hatching continues, he will monitor each new pair, pointing out signs of satiety, and passing on the method of denying an overly-greedy dragonet.

Once all the dragonets are fed, the Weyrlings will be allowed a candlemark to show off their new life mates to their admiring families and friends. Then, the group will be taken to the Weyrling Barracks, assigned cots and wallows according to dragon colour impressed, and the pairs will go through the new process of oiling and bedding down the drowsy hatchlings.

Once all the infant dragons are safely asleep, the new Weyrlings may join the festivities of the Hatching Feast, for a few candlemarks. "Lights out" comes early for them, however, as dragonets wake with the dawn. Besides, most are made groggy by both the empathic link with their sleeping soul mates, and by the sheer emotional drain of the day. There are few protesters, when the Weyrling Master declares it time for a return to the Barracks and bed.

Day One:

Dawn brings the first of many unwelcome wake-up calls. The Weyrlings are given their first lessons in butchering carcasses for the needs of an infant dragon. Just as all riders must know how to create their own riding straps from a tanned hide, all Weyrlings need to know how to cut food for their own dragons.

As the dragonets breakfast, the Weyrling Master, and the Master Dragon healer check over the younglings. After the meat is consumed and all the dragonets are vetted, the pairs are led through bathing, oiling, and if necessary, mucking out, for their soul mates.

Only then are the human halves of the pairs allowed to bathe and breakfast. A short period after breakfast is devoted to making cots and cleaning the Barracks. After that, the first of an 18 month period of lectures and hands-on lessons begins.

Typical Daily Schedule:

Dawn: 6 to 7th hour	Wake, feed, bathe, oil dragonet
7th to 8th hour:	Bathe, breakfast
Candlemark after breakfast:	Care for human/dragonet bedding, clean quarters
9th to 12th hour:	Lessons
12th to 13th hour:	Midday meal
13th to 14th hour:	Bonding break (This is when a Weyrling spends the hour in their area with their mate. The Weyrling may do what they wish as long as their dragon is with them.)
14th to 17th hour:	Lessons
17th to 18th hour:	rest break
18th to 20th hour:	Feed, bathe, and oil dragonets
20th to 22nd hour:	Evening meal, study, relaxation
22nd hour:	Lights out

Weyrling Lessons Plan

Hatching to One Month

Size: Approx. 3 ft tall at shoulder

Care and feeding of dragonets

Oiling, and the diagnosis and treatment of common hide problems

The empathic bond-- utilization, effects on both life mates, cautions, and advantages

Draconic anatomy. *

Basic Draconic first aid, including the treatment of digestive and elimination problems.

Weyr etiquette and customs**

Duties of Riders***

Pernese history and basic politics****

Recognition of rank knots and badges****

* Taught by Dragon healer
** Taught by Weyrwoman
*** Taught by Weyrleader
**** Taught by Weyr Archivist

Suggestion for IC play:- Concerns about young dragon. Washing, oiling troublesome dragonet.Threads that emphasis the strength and needs of the young dragon. Please note, interaction with the general Weyr will be limited. The newly Impressed pair will be required to stay within visual range of each other at the outside at all times for at least this month. Possible IC material in over-eating or preventing over eating. Many of the lectures will involve people coming to them and food will be brought to them rather than them leaving their life mate for the first couple of sevendays. Bear this in mind when RP-ing.

Month Two

Approx. twenty percent of adult size

First involvement with Threadfall assisting healers (to get them used to possible draconic reaction to scores etc.)

First Basic Ground Drills

Politics, history, geography and weather patterns of Fort territories

Initial Firestone training - How to select, size, bag Firestone tailored to a dragons capabilities

Action in Fall -maintaining Firestone supplies for the Dragon wings.

Frequent testing of knowledge through tests, written, oral and practical

Suggestion for IC play :- During a Fall - with Healers - as ground crew. Lessons as designated by the AWLM(if there is one). Possible tests on dragon knowledge. Revising this knowledge for an exam in a study group. Heavy emphasis on the dragon and rider pairing still. The dragonets will be clumsy but there will be trips to the Lake for washing etc

Third Month

Approx. forty percent of adult size

Continuing education regarding politics, history, geography and weather patterns of associated Northern territories.

Working with the Dragon-Rider bond. Trust exercises. Blindfold - utilisation of each others eyes.

Continued ground drills with more complex formations and development of understanding of a three dimensional flight

Swimming lessons for the dragonets to begin strengthening of wing muscles early

Communication in Fall. Mental Protocols, physical fall backs.

Firestone pick up from dragonback (on ground but practicing the ability so Fall riders do not have to land to "refuel")

Frequent testing of knowledge through tests, written, oral and practical

Suggestion for IC play:- Swimming is popular. The AWLM may well come up with different "trust" exercises but the blindfold one is a good one to RP. Possible Fall experience. Hand signals etc

Fourth Month

Approx fifty percent of adult size

Politics, history, geography and weather patterns of other Weyrs

Fitted for flight jackets and gloves

Introduction to leather craft to create personalized riding straps and harness

Continued Dragon-Rider bond exercises

Ground drills continue and increase in time spent and complexity

Continued Swimming

Frequent practical testing across all topics

Review meeting with the Weyrlingmaster/Assistant Weyrling Master on progress

Suggestion for IC play:- Swimming is an activity not available in a lot of Weyrs so we make the most of it! If relevant you may RP your interview.

Fifth Month

Approx fifty five percent of adult size

Continued exploration of social structures and Weyr territories.

Required that first set of personal riding straps and harness completed to appropriate standards

Detailed Threadfall notation and theory of charts. Reading and Interpretation

Lectures on Threadfall - different composition, and pattern

Dragonrider Etiquette and public behaviour - lectures by Junior Weyrwomen

Complex Ground drills and starts of Wing work

Continued Dragon-rider bond work, reaching out to include other riders

Problem solving - individual and group work.

Frequent testing.

Suggestion for IC play:- Problem solving task may be assigned by your WLMA. The connecting with other Riders in a wing is a good one to RP as it helps links between writers as well.

Sixth Month

Approx sixty percent of adult size

Continued exploration of social structures and Weyr territories.

First flights - just a short glide, then farther every day

Strengthening of wing muscles resulting in flight within the Weyr

Maintenance of harness, straps and thread fighting equipment if relevant.

Advance interpretation and creation of Threadfall Charts

Begin working on recognition points and principles of visualisation.

Ground drills - flight sequences run internally by impression rank of Weyrlings for that session (assessing leadership potential)

Individual and group problem solving

Self defence training introduction. Rules of Honour Duels and associated responsibilities (For male brown, bronze and some select blue riders only).

Female riders and green riders begin errand running for wing leaders, Weyrleader, Weyrwoman, or whoever the WLM assigns them.

Goldriders will be working more with Weyrwoman at this time.

Selection/ assigned personal Weyr by the head woman and Weyrwoman. They do not move in for another month.

Suggestion for IC play:- Selecting a Weyr - earmarking it as it were. A Weyrling run ground drill. A Self defence class. Possible problem solving exercise. Of course. First time off the ground riding your dragon.

Seventh Month

Approx sixty five percent of adult size

Continued exploration of social structures and Weyr territories.

Able to draw up, interpret and translate a Thread Fall chart into practicalities

Draconic First Aid - Emphasis on Fall related injuries and general condition (especially overflying) - lectures from dragon healers

Flying straight errands within close Weyr territory begin

More complex activities with the Dragon-Rider bond

Dragonrider Ethics - Introduction - Problem solving in this regard

Self defence training for browns and bronzes, select blue riders (males only) begins. Introduction to blade worked

Female riders and green riders will continue errand running for wing leaders, weyrleader, weyrwoman, or whoever the WLM assigns them.

Goldriders will be working more with Weyr women at this time.

Complex ground drills with a minimum of external commands

Continual testing as appropriate

Suggestion for IC play:- Errands provide more scope for..individual expression of flight (hence the lectures on strains). Self defence classes. Similar to previous months

Eighth Month

Approx seventy percent of adult size

Reviews of political, social and Weyr territories - including assessments.

Review maintenance of Thread fighting equipment and riding straps - assessments

Beginning first aid for humans - emphasis on Fall injuries and Thread scores by Weyr Healers.

Ground drills, but lessened as many subjects being assessed in this month.

Flights around the Weyr to strengthen dragon and human muscles. More frequent errands.

Hand to Hand combat, wrestling and more complex blade work (male brown, bronze, and select blue riders).

Female riders and green riders will report to Weyrling Master during this time for dutys.

Goldriders will report first to Weyrling Master then to assigned Jr. or Sr. Weyrwoman.

Review exams covering all areas.

Following the exams an interview with the Weyrling Master on progress to date.

If the Weyrling Master is satisfied with the progress of the Weyrling, dragonet and rider are allowed to move from the Weyrling Barracks to a private weyr.

Two days to transfer to their assigned personal Weyr.

Suggestion for IC play:- Exam anxiety. Entering own Weyr feeling like a proper Dragonrider. Interview with WM or WLMA. Potential for RP similar to previous months.

Ninth Month

Approx seventy five percent of adult size

Continued exploration of social structures and Weyr territories.

Flight exercises increased . Flying styles differentiated. Sprint and stamina flights worked on

Ground drills continued but lessen in proportion to flying and concentrate on translating ground sequences to the air

Advanced Dragon-Rider bond work.

Problem Solving, practical, theoretical and ethical

Self defence training, sparring in pairs.

Continued co-ordinate work, with maps and review of Threadfall charts

Suggestion for IC play:-similar options to before. Possibly discovering their dragons strengths and weaknesses in flight and in the wing.

Tenth Month

Approx eighty percent of adult size

Comprehensive exams on Pern-wide politics, history, geography and weather patterns.

First training Wing flights outside the Weyr

Learn to hunt with their dragons

Advanced Self defence techniques (Male brown, bronze, and select blue riders)

Female riders and green riders will report to Weyrling Master during this time for dutys.

Goldriders will report to assigned Jr. or Sr. Weyrwoman.

Begin drills on recognition points around the Weyr

First jumps between one on one with the Weyrling Master and Assistants

Suggestion for IC play:- Jumping between is probably the big one to RP here and hunting with ones dragon. Potential loss of a fellow Weyrling

Eleventh Month

Approx eighty five percent of adult size

Formation flying drills begin. Ground drills rarely used unless working through a new formation

Learn the Firestone refueling in air technique

Advanced Dragon-Rider bond exercises - in Flight and Wing context

Problem Solving at all levels

Self defence training continues(Male brown, bronze, and select blue riders)

Female riders and green riders will report to Weyrling Master during this time for dutys.

Goldriders will report to assigned Jr. or Sr. Weyrwoman.

Assigned Holds to fly to and return between to the Weyr

Suggestion for IC play:- Again, between is a good one. The Firestone In flight refueling is good for comedy as well as any of the standard RP possibilities.

Twelfth Month

Approx eighty five percent of adult size

Formation flying drills continue and become more complex

Dragons learn to chew Firestone

Flame first aid, then control and flame variation

Flaming whilst in flight and in wing formation

Continue training on between

Principles of Sweep Riding - shadowing Sweepriders

Personal interview with the Weyrling Master or WLMA on progress to date

Bronze and Brown riders- Lessons begin in proper behaviour for their rank, how to handle the lower colours, and the does and don'ts of their ranks (trained by selected wingleader or wingsecond, most likely a bronze rider, possibly even the Weyrleader or weyrsecond)

Blue and green riders- Lessons in proper behaviour for their rank, what is expected of them, how to respond and obey higher ranking riders, and the different crimes and punishments. (Trained by Weyrling Master, wing third or possibly a selected blue rider)

All Weyrlings start flight lessons preparing for mating flights (trained by WLM, AWLM, or WiL)

Suggestion for IC play:- Firestone. Feeding the dragon Firestone and the inevitable problems that occur as a result of inexperience. Too much, too little. no control etc.A sweep ride has potential to be interesting in the North. Interview RP if necessary.

Thirteenth and Fourteenth Months

Approx ninety percent of adult size

Flying practice becoming more varied and longer sustained, gradually moving time aloft up to Fall length

Some drill practices take place with the existing Wings to integrate them and learn from their experience

Emergency rescue training - falling rope drills, bronze and queens learning how to catch an out of control dragon.

Hand to hand sparring extended to group co-operation(Male brown, bronze, and select blue riders)

Female riders and green riders will report to Weyrling Master during this time for dutys.

Goldriders will report to assigned Jr. or Sr. Weyrwoman.

Flaming in Wing formation

Between training continues, beginning recognition point drills to other Weyrs, Halls and Holds

Bronze and Brown riders- Lessons continue in proper behaviour for their rank, how to handle the lower colours, and the does and don'ts of their ranks, Also added is tips for higher rank achievement (trained by selected wingleader or wingsecond, most likely a bronze rider, possibly even the Weyrleader or weyrsecond)

Blue and green riders- Lessons continue in proper behaviour for their rank, what is expected of them, how to respond and obey higher ranking riders, and the different crimes and punishments, Also added is possible ranks said colours can achieve and tips to do so (Trained by Weyrling Master, wing third or possibly a selected blue rider)

All Weyrlings continue flight lessons preparing for mating flights (trained by WLM, AWLM, or WiL)

Suggestion for IC play:- Emergency rescue drills have a lot of potential to RP. The opportunity to mix with existing riders also is a good RP area.

Fifteenth and Sixteenth Months

Approx ninety five percent of adult size

Continued Fighting Wing formation drills

Rescue manoeuvres practice

Continue training on between, introducing skip betweening for fall and deep betweening for scores etc

Groups assigned Sweep duties

Fitted with Thread fighting gear

Bronze and brown riders- test in special classes

Blue and green riders- test in special classes

Mating flight classes start to wind down

Conferences with Weyrling Master and Wingseconds begin, pre-fall preparation and strategies

Suggestion for IC playIC:-Getting Fall gear would be a turning point for many, an introduction to a reality as a dragonrider. Group Sweep duties would also hold a good RP potential

Seventeenth and Eighteenth Months

Approx ninety five to hundred percent of adult size

Begin flying the trailing edge of Threadfall. Limited flaming of live Thread

Perform Firestone refueling directly to fighting Dragonrider

Continued inclusion in pre-Fall and post-Fall briefing and de-briefing

Mating flight tests

Final Assessments - to determine graduation based on results and WM and WMLA report to the Weyrleaders.

Suggestion for IC play:- Ahh the anxiety of exams and first Thread flying..!

Graduation

If the Weyrleaders permit the new dragonriders are assigned to a lower level and as they competence and experience increases they are moved to the higher first Fall contact wings. If they do not pass they are held in Weyrling classes until they are deemed ready and not a danger to other riders.

The Dragonriders of Pern� is registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, by Anne McCaffrey, used here with permission. Use or reproduction without a license is strictly prohibited.