Weyrling Information
You’ve walked off the sands with a dragonet…
What happens now?
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 and washed up, the Weyrlings will be allowed a *single* candlemark to show off their new life mates to their admiring families and friends at the Hatching Feast. Then, the group will be taken to the Weyrling Barracks, assigned cots and wallows according to dragon color 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 re-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.
A reminder for new Weyrlings who are leaving behind relationships- no intimate contact is allowed for the first ten months, unless otherwise given permission by the WLM. After eight months Weyrlings are generally allowed to move into their own weyrs. They aren't allowed any weyrmates - non-sexual or otherwise - unless given permission by the WLM. Generally Weyrlings are advised not to take in any weyrmates until they finish Weyrlinghood, however after the twelfth month or so it's more acceptable.
Once all the dragonets are fed and washed up, the Weyrlings will be allowed a *single* candlemark to show off their new life mates to their admiring families and friends at the Hatching Feast. Then, the group will be taken to the Weyrling Barracks, assigned cots and wallows according to dragon color 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 re-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.
A reminder for new Weyrlings who are leaving behind relationships- no intimate contact is allowed for the first ten months, unless otherwise given permission by the WLM. After eight months Weyrlings are generally allowed to move into their own weyrs. They aren't allowed any weyrmates - non-sexual or otherwise - unless given permission by the WLM. Generally Weyrlings are advised not to take in any weyrmates until they finish Weyrlinghood, however after the twelfth month or so it's more acceptable.
Weyrling Barracks Structure
There are three modest rooms set aside for gold weyrlings, though rarely is there more than one gold weyrling at a time. The other two generally go to senior bronze weyrlings who have impressed the Weyrlingmaster. That one of the equal-sized barracks rooms was once set aside for female weyrlings of all colors is a long forgotten fact. It is now used to house male weyrlings. The few female chromatic weyrlings do not get their own sleeping quarters-- popular thought is that they have to think themselves at least half male to Impress a fighting dragon. Therefore, they bed down in the same rooms as their male classmates. Oftentimes, male green weyrlings, taking pity on the girls, will take beds near them. The presence of male greenriders will generally put a damper on any amorous intentions one of the bronze or brownriders might have--you never know what having thoughts like that around one of them might do to your masculinity, after all.
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, and after butchering a carcasses for their dragonet cleaning up is probably very much desired. 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.
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, and after butchering a carcasses for their dragonet cleaning up is probably very much desired. 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, and oil dragonet
- 7th to 8th hour: Bath and breakfast for human halves
- 8th to 9th hour: 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
Major steps in Weyrling Training
- Month 0 - Impression
- Month 5 - Dragon's first glide, riderless.
- Month 6 - First Flight with rider
- Month 8 - Moving out of the barracks.
- Month 10 - Between
- Month 12 - First Flame
- Month 17 - Beginning to Fly Fall
- Month 19 - Graduation! (although new riders under 16 Turns will not be assigned to a Rider's Wing)
For more details about what is happening with your weyrlings from month to month refer to the Weyrling Lesson Plans here: Months 0-6, Months 7-12, Months 13-19
Specific Activity Descriptions
Month 2: Firestone- Firestone of all shapes and sizes fill the various tables in the classroom. 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 break into nice pieces fairly easily. A good test is dropping a piece from chin height and seeing what happens. If it doesn't break 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.
Month 2 and continues: Dragontoss- Dragontoss is a little deceptive. Rather, in this game, bags of firestone are tossed. Weyrlings start this in their 2nd 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.
Month 4: 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 inopportune moment. Buckles, snaps, and such items are what are fixed on straps. The harness fits underneath 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 accommodate other passengers.
Months 5 & 6: 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 exercises for awhile now, and have been allowed to practice take-offs and landings, under supervision, for a full month now. 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, but they will be examined by the dragonhealers twice a sevenday to be sure there is no strain.
Month 10: Between- This is the class the Weyrlingmaster hates the most. For 2 months 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. 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, 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.
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.
Month 2 and continues: Dragontoss- Dragontoss is a little deceptive. Rather, in this game, bags of firestone are tossed. Weyrlings start this in their 2nd 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.
Month 4: 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 inopportune moment. Buckles, snaps, and such items are what are fixed on straps. The harness fits underneath 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 accommodate other passengers.
Months 5 & 6: 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 exercises for awhile now, and have been allowed to practice take-offs and landings, under supervision, for a full month now. 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, but they will be examined by the dragonhealers twice a sevenday to be sure there is no strain.
Month 10: Between- This is the class the Weyrlingmaster hates the most. For 2 months 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. 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, 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 Behavioral Progression
((Yes, I know some months overlap or are missing but that’s because either the developmental markers overlap or there’s not a marker for that month.))
Growth:
0-3 months: Newborn dragon babies are tiny, yet they also grow ridiculously fast. Hence the constant washing, oiling, and feeding. Also note that the size differences between the colors are less pronounced at this stage - all hatchlings, regardless of color, start off small. Some smaller than others, but the differences aren't nearly as dramatic until later.
4-6 months: This is the point at which the larger dragons are kind of inconvenient to keep in small spaces now. The size differences are also starting to assert themselves - dragons of all sizes are experiencing tremendous growth, but browns, bronzes and golds most of all.
5-8 months: Dragons are starting to look... well, dragonish, and the rate of growth finally begins to slow down to something more manageable. Dragons are flight-capable, although their flight muscles are still relatively weak at this point, and prolonged flights are not recommended.
9-13 months: Dragons are very near to their adult size; the closest equivalent would be adolescence for humans. For the subsequent five months there will be a last few growth spurts, but for the most part now they are "filling out," putting on muscle rather than length.
16-18 months: Dragons are now more or less at their adult size - some might still have one adolescent growth spurt, but they are all fully adult and capable flyers.
4-6 months: This is the point at which the larger dragons are kind of inconvenient to keep in small spaces now. The size differences are also starting to assert themselves - dragons of all sizes are experiencing tremendous growth, but browns, bronzes and golds most of all.
5-8 months: Dragons are starting to look... well, dragonish, and the rate of growth finally begins to slow down to something more manageable. Dragons are flight-capable, although their flight muscles are still relatively weak at this point, and prolonged flights are not recommended.
9-13 months: Dragons are very near to their adult size; the closest equivalent would be adolescence for humans. For the subsequent five months there will be a last few growth spurts, but for the most part now they are "filling out," putting on muscle rather than length.
16-18 months: Dragons are now more or less at their adult size - some might still have one adolescent growth spurt, but they are all fully adult and capable flyers.
Behavioral:
Month 1: During the first 2 months the dragonets will still be very young and will mostly be sleeping and eating.
Month 2: The dragonets will nap slightly less often and will begin to show more interest in their lifemates, including being involved in a very limited number of lessons.
Month 3: The dragonets will begin to be more active and now daily exercises are begun to develop their muscles.
Month 4-7: Dragonets becoming more active and growing a lot. Lots of daily exercise is needed INCLUDING wing strengthening in preparation of First Flight as well as after, and they are eating less now, more like every other day or so, according to their own metabolism.
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.
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.
Month 12: At this point, many of the green dragons will rise, and the bronzes, browns and blues will probably give chase.
Month 2: The dragonets will nap slightly less often and will begin to show more interest in their lifemates, including being involved in a very limited number of lessons.
Month 3: The dragonets will begin to be more active and now daily exercises are begun to develop their muscles.
Month 4-7: Dragonets becoming more active and growing a lot. Lots of daily exercise is needed INCLUDING wing strengthening in preparation of First Flight as well as after, and they are eating less now, more like every other day or so, according to their own metabolism.
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.
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.
Month 12: At this point, many of the green dragons will rise, and the bronzes, browns and blues will probably give chase.