Post by Alexias on Mar 1, 2009 21:24:04 GMT -5
Wings of dragons had to be formed by the Weyrs of Pern. This is because of Thread. Thread is Pern's nemesis, a parasitic fungal organism that is not native to planet. It is produced on the Red Star, where it travels through the atmosphere to become silvery threadlike filaments that kill everything! Animal, or vegetable. Luckily, this only happens once every 200 turns (a Pernese year), in what's called a Pass, for 50 turns. Thread falls from the sky, impeding the inhabitant's ability to travel, build spread-out communities, and possess endless fields of crops. Traveler's might hide under rock or water to avoid almost certain death.
Thread drowns in water, it can also be destroyed by flame. So, Pern's original colonists, who had considerably more technology than it's present day inhabitants, used genetic engineering to alter an indigenous lifeform, a miniature type of dragon called a firelizard, to generate much larger creatures which they named dragons after the Earth legends. Dragons can produce flame, after ingesting a native, flame-producing rock called firestone, they can teleport anywhere on the planet via a dark, cold place called between, and upon hatching they bond to a human lifemate, to be it's rider, and partner. Together, they with their fellow dragonriders fight Thread so it doesn't destroy their world.
Wing Structure
The dragonriders are organized into Wings and Flights. A Wing used to consist of one Wingleader, two Wingseconds and thirty wingriders. Wingleaders are usually bronzeriders, Wingseconds are usually bronze or brownriders. Almost two thirds of a Wing is comprised of blue and green dragons, who usually do not have the stamina to complete an entire Threadfall, so they are organized into two or three groups which work in shifts, so even a fully healthy Wing does not often fly with all 33 dragons.
A Flight consists of three Wings, led by a selected Wingleader of the group.
A Weyrflight consists of three to five Flights, led by the Weyrleader.
If a Wing is reduced to less than 12 riders due to injury, death or transfer attrition, the Wing is disbanded and Wingmembers are reassigned to other Wings.
(Wing Information)
What happens to the Weyr during a Fall?
Threadfall... the very reason for the existence of dragons. So what happens? Here's a summary:
Lower Caverns and Infirmary
Before Thread: preparing themselves to look after injured riders. They'd be gathering bandages, loads of numbweed, needlethorns and thread for stitching up people and dragons. The kitchen staff will be preparing nice filling food - flying Thread is hungry work.
During Thread: they'll start getting busy a few minutes into Threadfall. There will always be /someone/ just ready to get scored right at the start. They tend to injuries as they come in.
After Thread: they are finishing off any medical emergencies or serving dragonriders food.
Candidates
Before Thread: loading firestone sacks. They'll be transporting firestone from the pits to the bowl, sorting rocks (firestone) into sacks, and perhaps later helping move the firestone sacks to where the Senior Weyrlings/reserve riders can readily access them without having to constantly dismount and remount. Some may also end up helping with other things - such as the healers if they show a skill at sewing up wounds etc.
During Thread: they will continue to help where they can, even with carrying and filling sacks if that isn't done yet, while trying desperately to stay out of the way. No one wants a candidate squished by a dragon doing an emergency landing!
After Thread: once again helping out where they can and in general keeping out of the way.
Junior Weyrlings
Before Thread: they pretty much bring the sacks that the candidates fill from where they're filling them to where the riders who transport them to where they can easily reach them.
During/After Threadfall: they also have dragons to look after, so will not be kept as busy during Threadfall as the candidates, and will be allowed to go and tend to their dragons once their chores are over. The Weyrling dragons can get excited by the atmosphere and some of the more excitable ones may need their rider's presence to help calm them down.
Senior Weyrlings
Before Thread: they are doing what other riders are doing - checking their straps and riding gear. They do NOT want to fall off during a delivery. They will also make sure they have a nice pile of firestone sacks ready and handy, and perhaps even arrange them how they prefer for quick loading.
During Thread: they are doing delivery duty. This means that dragons flying Fall contact them when they need firestone. They should always be ready to take off with two fresh sacks. They then transfer /between/ to the position the dragon requesting the firestone gave them, make sure they are in the right position to 'drop' the firestone to the rider. Once the rider has safely caught the firestone they are to go UNDER the dragon flying Fall to catch the empty sacks then transfer /between/ back to the Weyr ready for a run. They must do all this while avoiding flame and Thread. This is how many weyrlings die or are seriously injured - by being careless during firestone delivery!
After Thread: they are looking after their dragons - whether tending to injuries or bathing and oiling them. They are then free for the rest of the day to eat and replenish themselves and check/clean their riding straps and gear before hanging them up again.
Wingriders
Before Thread: checking (and if necessary oiling) straps, checking their dragon for cracks in the hide and oiling if necessary, checking their other riding gear. Gold riders will also have to check their agenothree tanks and nozzles to make sure everything is clear. You do NOT want a clogged nozzle during Thread! When Thread is approaching they will feed their dragons firestone (queens excluded), the riders watching very carefully in case a dragon bites his or her tongue. If a dragon bites his or her tongue too hard they will not be allowed to fly Thread.
During Thread: obeying their Wingleaders and Wingseconds! Charring Thread. If they get more than just a surface injury (ie, and injury that could impair their performance) they are to return immediately to the Weyr and call in a replacement rider. Greens and blues (if they are not injured) fly only half a full Fall as they don't have the endurance of their larger counterparts and are built more for maneuverability and speed. They are very important during Threadfall and probably catch most of the Thread on average.
After Thread: they are looking after their dragons - whether tending to injuries or bathing and oiling them. They are then free for the rest of the day to eat and replenish themselves and check/clean their riding straps and gear before hanging them up again.
Wingseconds
Before Thread: all the things that wingriders do as well as checking over the rest of the wing to make sure no one is being lax in their own inspections, and that no one is trying to fly Fall with a dragon that has bitten their tongue!
During Thread: they obey their wingleaders but are also responsible for minor commands and keeping an eye on where Thread is falling and directing riders to clumps. The same rules about injuries applies to them as well. Wingseconds, while important, are more likely to endanger the entire wing by flying under 100% capacity than a wingrider is. They are therefore responsible for knowing when they should fall out due to injury and call in a suitable replacement.
After Thread: as well as the duties of looking after their dragon, they are also responsible for making sure that other riders in their wing are properly looking after their dragons, too. They will probably remain with one eye on their wing for the rest of the day making sure that no one is more injured than they care to admit.
Wingleaders
Before Thread: they go with the Weyrleader and other Wingleaders into the Lower Caverns for a pre-Fall chat. They discuss what sort of Fall would be falling today, where it would be falling and what sort of formation would be best to use. They are expected to get up earlier than everyone else so that they can do what the other riders are doing while they are in the Lower Caverns - checking straps, checking hide, checking riding gear. When they emerge it is the signal to start chewing firestone. While they are feeding firestone to their dragons, they will discuss the wing formation with their wingsecond(s).
During Thread: they ultimately lead the wing. Where the wingleader goes, the wing goes. They are the ones with the coordinates to pass /between/ to the beginning of Threadfall. They must look after themselves and their entire wing. If they are injured, they must be extra careful about judging their own performance. It is better for a wingleader to drop out due to injury and have the wingsecond take over than it is for a wing to be let by a pain-crazed wingleader!
After Thread: they check that their wingsecond(s) are coping and do a quick check over their wings. Depending on how well/bad the Threadfall went, they go into another meeting to discuss future tactic improvements for the type of Threadfall they had that day. For the ranking characters, admin duties takes up a lot of the day. It's not all glory, folks!
Junior Weyrwomen
Before Thread: they perform the same admin type duties as Wingseconds. If it is expected to be a particularly difficult Fall, the next in line for succession to the Weyrwoman might sit in on a meeting. Otherwise they are all outside with the wings overseeing things, checking their gear etc. They also need to be careful to check their agenothree tanks and nozzles. As pointed out earlier, you don't want a clogged nozzle during Threadfall! They could endanger both themselves and others if their agenothree tank is in some way faulty.
During Thread: they act the same as wingriders. Being in the low altitude wing they also look out for any possible burrows as they go along. Because queens are so much larger than the other dragons, they can also be called upon to make emergency rescues and break the fall of an injured dragon. They need to have eyes everywhere, but because they are lower down where most of the Thread has already been charred by the upper wings, they do manage.
After Thread: after Threadfall they have to be everywhere at once, when they're back from sweepriding. They are expected to oversea general healing. Their dragons are often required to help calm down distressed injured dragons. They are sometimes required to help out calm younger dragons who might be distressed by the injured dragons all around. If the queen dragons are spread thin, it is the rider's job to make sure that her dragon is comfortable and cared for while doing so.
Weyrwoman
Before Thread: she is attending the pre-Fall meeting with the rest of the Wingleaders. She will have gotten up early to do the pre-Fall checks of her riding gear, straps, agenothree tanks and to check in with the junior gold riders and with the people who would be in her wing that day. The queen's wing changes a lot as it's where riders with minor injuries, or pregnant green riders, fly. It is important that she meets with all the riders of her wing before Thread starts falling so that there is no confusion. When she comes out from the meeting she'll have time to quickly check over the wing, re-check her agenothree tanks are properly attached and working, before things take off.
During Thread: she is the Wingleader of the queen's wing. Refer to "Wingleaders" to see what Wingleaders do during Fall.
After Thread: the queen's wing does a cursory check over the ground as they generally have to fly straight back to the Weyr (because of the injured and pregnant riders). If they see any burrows they flag down a sweeprider and wait until he or she arrives before moving on. Once back at the Weyr she checks on her wing first then moves on to tend to her dragon. She can choose not to attend any meeting that goes on afterward, choosing instead to interrogate the Weyrleader later ;-) She is more likely to stay out in the Weyr bowl and help out wherever she can.
Weyrleader
Before Thread: he gets up early and gets a head start on his pre-Fall preparations. Checking his riding gear for stretches or dry patches, checking his riding gear, checking his dragon for dry patches, etc. Before Thread is due he calls the meeting and they discuss what sort of Threadfall this one is likely to be (which he probably would have been reading up on the night before). Wing formation suggestions. Where Thread will be falling and how long the Weyr will be flying it. If it's a shared Threadfall (crossing over boundries) the Weyrleader will tell the meeting at what point they would be taking over from their neighbor Weyr. His exit from the meeting is the signal for riders to start feeding their dragons firestone.
During Thread: he is the wingleader of the highest altitude wing and meets Thread first. As his wingsecond(s) report to him, so do all the wingleaders also report to him any difficulties they have during Threadfall. The Weyrleader generally makes the most effort to stay safe during Fall, and his wing protects him to a certain degree. So long as the Weyrleader remains at the front and still flying Fall, the morale of the other riders is at a high. But, in contrast, he must also make sure he is running at 100%.
After Thread: he looks after his dragon first, safe in the knowledge that the queens and healers are looking after the rest of the Weyr. Once he is sure that his dragon is completely looked after, he often goes into admin-mode again, either in a meeting with the other wingleaders to discuss new strategies should such a Fall occur again (if the Fall was unusual) or making notes on the Fall before the memory fades.
Thread drowns in water, it can also be destroyed by flame. So, Pern's original colonists, who had considerably more technology than it's present day inhabitants, used genetic engineering to alter an indigenous lifeform, a miniature type of dragon called a firelizard, to generate much larger creatures which they named dragons after the Earth legends. Dragons can produce flame, after ingesting a native, flame-producing rock called firestone, they can teleport anywhere on the planet via a dark, cold place called between, and upon hatching they bond to a human lifemate, to be it's rider, and partner. Together, they with their fellow dragonriders fight Thread so it doesn't destroy their world.
Wing Structure
The dragonriders are organized into Wings and Flights. A Wing used to consist of one Wingleader, two Wingseconds and thirty wingriders. Wingleaders are usually bronzeriders, Wingseconds are usually bronze or brownriders. Almost two thirds of a Wing is comprised of blue and green dragons, who usually do not have the stamina to complete an entire Threadfall, so they are organized into two or three groups which work in shifts, so even a fully healthy Wing does not often fly with all 33 dragons.
A Flight consists of three Wings, led by a selected Wingleader of the group.
A Weyrflight consists of three to five Flights, led by the Weyrleader.
If a Wing is reduced to less than 12 riders due to injury, death or transfer attrition, the Wing is disbanded and Wingmembers are reassigned to other Wings.
(Wing Information)
What happens to the Weyr during a Fall?
Threadfall... the very reason for the existence of dragons. So what happens? Here's a summary:
Lower Caverns and Infirmary
Before Thread: preparing themselves to look after injured riders. They'd be gathering bandages, loads of numbweed, needlethorns and thread for stitching up people and dragons. The kitchen staff will be preparing nice filling food - flying Thread is hungry work.
During Thread: they'll start getting busy a few minutes into Threadfall. There will always be /someone/ just ready to get scored right at the start. They tend to injuries as they come in.
After Thread: they are finishing off any medical emergencies or serving dragonriders food.
Candidates
Before Thread: loading firestone sacks. They'll be transporting firestone from the pits to the bowl, sorting rocks (firestone) into sacks, and perhaps later helping move the firestone sacks to where the Senior Weyrlings/reserve riders can readily access them without having to constantly dismount and remount. Some may also end up helping with other things - such as the healers if they show a skill at sewing up wounds etc.
During Thread: they will continue to help where they can, even with carrying and filling sacks if that isn't done yet, while trying desperately to stay out of the way. No one wants a candidate squished by a dragon doing an emergency landing!
After Thread: once again helping out where they can and in general keeping out of the way.
Junior Weyrlings
Before Thread: they pretty much bring the sacks that the candidates fill from where they're filling them to where the riders who transport them to where they can easily reach them.
During/After Threadfall: they also have dragons to look after, so will not be kept as busy during Threadfall as the candidates, and will be allowed to go and tend to their dragons once their chores are over. The Weyrling dragons can get excited by the atmosphere and some of the more excitable ones may need their rider's presence to help calm them down.
Senior Weyrlings
Before Thread: they are doing what other riders are doing - checking their straps and riding gear. They do NOT want to fall off during a delivery. They will also make sure they have a nice pile of firestone sacks ready and handy, and perhaps even arrange them how they prefer for quick loading.
During Thread: they are doing delivery duty. This means that dragons flying Fall contact them when they need firestone. They should always be ready to take off with two fresh sacks. They then transfer /between/ to the position the dragon requesting the firestone gave them, make sure they are in the right position to 'drop' the firestone to the rider. Once the rider has safely caught the firestone they are to go UNDER the dragon flying Fall to catch the empty sacks then transfer /between/ back to the Weyr ready for a run. They must do all this while avoiding flame and Thread. This is how many weyrlings die or are seriously injured - by being careless during firestone delivery!
After Thread: they are looking after their dragons - whether tending to injuries or bathing and oiling them. They are then free for the rest of the day to eat and replenish themselves and check/clean their riding straps and gear before hanging them up again.
Wingriders
Before Thread: checking (and if necessary oiling) straps, checking their dragon for cracks in the hide and oiling if necessary, checking their other riding gear. Gold riders will also have to check their agenothree tanks and nozzles to make sure everything is clear. You do NOT want a clogged nozzle during Thread! When Thread is approaching they will feed their dragons firestone (queens excluded), the riders watching very carefully in case a dragon bites his or her tongue. If a dragon bites his or her tongue too hard they will not be allowed to fly Thread.
During Thread: obeying their Wingleaders and Wingseconds! Charring Thread. If they get more than just a surface injury (ie, and injury that could impair their performance) they are to return immediately to the Weyr and call in a replacement rider. Greens and blues (if they are not injured) fly only half a full Fall as they don't have the endurance of their larger counterparts and are built more for maneuverability and speed. They are very important during Threadfall and probably catch most of the Thread on average.
After Thread: they are looking after their dragons - whether tending to injuries or bathing and oiling them. They are then free for the rest of the day to eat and replenish themselves and check/clean their riding straps and gear before hanging them up again.
Wingseconds
Before Thread: all the things that wingriders do as well as checking over the rest of the wing to make sure no one is being lax in their own inspections, and that no one is trying to fly Fall with a dragon that has bitten their tongue!
During Thread: they obey their wingleaders but are also responsible for minor commands and keeping an eye on where Thread is falling and directing riders to clumps. The same rules about injuries applies to them as well. Wingseconds, while important, are more likely to endanger the entire wing by flying under 100% capacity than a wingrider is. They are therefore responsible for knowing when they should fall out due to injury and call in a suitable replacement.
After Thread: as well as the duties of looking after their dragon, they are also responsible for making sure that other riders in their wing are properly looking after their dragons, too. They will probably remain with one eye on their wing for the rest of the day making sure that no one is more injured than they care to admit.
Wingleaders
Before Thread: they go with the Weyrleader and other Wingleaders into the Lower Caverns for a pre-Fall chat. They discuss what sort of Fall would be falling today, where it would be falling and what sort of formation would be best to use. They are expected to get up earlier than everyone else so that they can do what the other riders are doing while they are in the Lower Caverns - checking straps, checking hide, checking riding gear. When they emerge it is the signal to start chewing firestone. While they are feeding firestone to their dragons, they will discuss the wing formation with their wingsecond(s).
During Thread: they ultimately lead the wing. Where the wingleader goes, the wing goes. They are the ones with the coordinates to pass /between/ to the beginning of Threadfall. They must look after themselves and their entire wing. If they are injured, they must be extra careful about judging their own performance. It is better for a wingleader to drop out due to injury and have the wingsecond take over than it is for a wing to be let by a pain-crazed wingleader!
After Thread: they check that their wingsecond(s) are coping and do a quick check over their wings. Depending on how well/bad the Threadfall went, they go into another meeting to discuss future tactic improvements for the type of Threadfall they had that day. For the ranking characters, admin duties takes up a lot of the day. It's not all glory, folks!
Junior Weyrwomen
Before Thread: they perform the same admin type duties as Wingseconds. If it is expected to be a particularly difficult Fall, the next in line for succession to the Weyrwoman might sit in on a meeting. Otherwise they are all outside with the wings overseeing things, checking their gear etc. They also need to be careful to check their agenothree tanks and nozzles. As pointed out earlier, you don't want a clogged nozzle during Threadfall! They could endanger both themselves and others if their agenothree tank is in some way faulty.
During Thread: they act the same as wingriders. Being in the low altitude wing they also look out for any possible burrows as they go along. Because queens are so much larger than the other dragons, they can also be called upon to make emergency rescues and break the fall of an injured dragon. They need to have eyes everywhere, but because they are lower down where most of the Thread has already been charred by the upper wings, they do manage.
After Thread: after Threadfall they have to be everywhere at once, when they're back from sweepriding. They are expected to oversea general healing. Their dragons are often required to help calm down distressed injured dragons. They are sometimes required to help out calm younger dragons who might be distressed by the injured dragons all around. If the queen dragons are spread thin, it is the rider's job to make sure that her dragon is comfortable and cared for while doing so.
Weyrwoman
Before Thread: she is attending the pre-Fall meeting with the rest of the Wingleaders. She will have gotten up early to do the pre-Fall checks of her riding gear, straps, agenothree tanks and to check in with the junior gold riders and with the people who would be in her wing that day. The queen's wing changes a lot as it's where riders with minor injuries, or pregnant green riders, fly. It is important that she meets with all the riders of her wing before Thread starts falling so that there is no confusion. When she comes out from the meeting she'll have time to quickly check over the wing, re-check her agenothree tanks are properly attached and working, before things take off.
During Thread: she is the Wingleader of the queen's wing. Refer to "Wingleaders" to see what Wingleaders do during Fall.
After Thread: the queen's wing does a cursory check over the ground as they generally have to fly straight back to the Weyr (because of the injured and pregnant riders). If they see any burrows they flag down a sweeprider and wait until he or she arrives before moving on. Once back at the Weyr she checks on her wing first then moves on to tend to her dragon. She can choose not to attend any meeting that goes on afterward, choosing instead to interrogate the Weyrleader later ;-) She is more likely to stay out in the Weyr bowl and help out wherever she can.
Weyrleader
Before Thread: he gets up early and gets a head start on his pre-Fall preparations. Checking his riding gear for stretches or dry patches, checking his riding gear, checking his dragon for dry patches, etc. Before Thread is due he calls the meeting and they discuss what sort of Threadfall this one is likely to be (which he probably would have been reading up on the night before). Wing formation suggestions. Where Thread will be falling and how long the Weyr will be flying it. If it's a shared Threadfall (crossing over boundries) the Weyrleader will tell the meeting at what point they would be taking over from their neighbor Weyr. His exit from the meeting is the signal for riders to start feeding their dragons firestone.
During Thread: he is the wingleader of the highest altitude wing and meets Thread first. As his wingsecond(s) report to him, so do all the wingleaders also report to him any difficulties they have during Threadfall. The Weyrleader generally makes the most effort to stay safe during Fall, and his wing protects him to a certain degree. So long as the Weyrleader remains at the front and still flying Fall, the morale of the other riders is at a high. But, in contrast, he must also make sure he is running at 100%.
After Thread: he looks after his dragon first, safe in the knowledge that the queens and healers are looking after the rest of the Weyr. Once he is sure that his dragon is completely looked after, he often goes into admin-mode again, either in a meeting with the other wingleaders to discuss new strategies should such a Fall occur again (if the Fall was unusual) or making notes on the Fall before the memory fades.