Brondir Weyr - Pern based PBeM

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Introduction

Becoming a Weyrling is definitely one of the greatest honors and the most exciting experience for a young Pernese person. So many children, Weyrbred or otherwise, dream of Impressing and riding their own dragon, fighting Thread and flying high in a wing to protect Pern. This dream you have achieved. But truly it is the most dangerous, hard-working job on Pern, and learning how to do that job is anything but candy clouds and starry dreams. It is sweat, blood, ichor, and tears. It is studying and drills, early mornings and late nights. It is even emotional breakdown and agony. But it is also still great joy, to see one’s dragon grow from a tiny hatchling to a great dragon, and to learn everything there is to know about defeating Pern’s greatest enemy. Relishing in this instruction, I take pride in instructing you in how to win that fight, and if you will do your hardest to learn, I will do my best in every possible way to teach you everything I know.

-- Weyrlingmaster T’yrnon’s Post-Hatching Welcome Speech to the New Weyrlings.

((OOC: Please contact the BoD if you plan to start any threads that involve your characters involving themselves in romance or sex, leaving the Barracks or the Weyr without prior permission, especially if they are harmed, injured, or killed. If a thread proceeds without consultation, consequences will be unhappy!))

Sections of Guide

• First Steps as a Weyrling
• The day after Impression
• Daily Training Schedule
• Monthly Training Schedule
• Graduation
• Weyrling Rules

First Steps as a Weyrling

Once the moment of Impression strikes a Candidate and he or she is chosen by a dragonet, they become Weyrlings, and start on the long road of training that will hopefully end in final Graduation and entrance into a fighting wing for the trainees. As they walk off the Hatching Sands, the Weyrlingmaster or one of his Assistants will greet each new dragonpair and lead them to the feeding area. They will be cautiously watched and instructed on how to feed a dragonet, making sure to be cautioned on chewing and overfeeding.

Once each dragonet is fed, they will be led to a small training area between the feeding troughs and the Weyrling Barracks. Here, the new weyrlings are allowed to meet family, friends and admirers for a short amount of time, either until the dragonet becomes too sleepy, or a candlemark after the end of the Hatching.

Once they leave the area and enter the Weyrling Barracks, they are instructed on oiling and then settling the dragonet in for sleep. If, once their dragon is asleep, the new weyrling wishes to enjoy the Hatching Feast, he or she is free to go. However, they must go in a group, and keep under the watchful eye of whichever Assistant is assigned to take them, as well as return when it is time to go to bed.

A dragonet’s internal clock is set to wake every morning when the sun rises, and it is best for the weyrlings to go to bed at a set time from Impression day on. There is usually little struggle, as most new weyrlings are very worn out by the exertions of the day, along with the wear of the new empathic link and the emotional stress of Impression. Most weyrlings do not last much longer awake then their new lifemates.

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The Day after Impression

Most riders remember the first few days of their training like this: The best day of existence (Impression), followed by the worst day of existence (first day of Training), and every day after that. Wake-up call is always 6th candlemark, on or around dawn. Often the dragonet is awake before their partner, and the groans and mutterings are many and verbose. No time is given for the weyrlings in the first few hours, save for a few seconds to perhaps splash some water on their faces to revive them.

This is because, although they satiated themselves at the hatching, the dragonets will awaken as hungry as ever, and that will be the greatest driving need in the first few weeks. Therefore, the first thing that a weyrling must learn is how to cut food up and feed their dragons. The dragonets will not be able to hunt for themselves until around the tenth month of training. The first few candlemarks of training are spent learning how to butcher a herdbeast and cut it up reasonably for a dragonet’s palate.

While the dragonets feed, they are given their first physical by one of the Weyr’s dragonhealers, accompanied by the Weyrlingmaster who, if he has not already, introduces himself to each and every new pair. Once the entire group has been fed, the weyrlings are instructed in bathing and oiling in the bath yard.

After the dragonets are fed, washed, and oiled, they are assigned, one by one, to a private cot-section. This section, complete with cot for the rider and couch-wallow for the dragon, will be the pair’s home until they are assigned a private weyrling weyr of their very own in the eighth to ninth month of training. If the new cot is dirty from its occupant the night before, then the weyrling must clean it, and then they are taught how to properly prepare and bed down their lifemate.

The dragonets are left to sleep, as they usually must once they are fed and cleaned, and only then are their human partners allowed to bathe and eat. During this time, the weyrlings are taken in groups to retrieve their personal effects from the Candidate Barracks, as well as to the Dining Hall. Every weyrling is closely supervised by the Candidatemaster or one of his Assistants, and will be until the pair passes exams and moves into a private weyr. Also in groups the weyrlings are shown the ins and outs of the training areas and the Barracks by older weyrlings (if there are any ;).

After all of this, the first of many lectures begins, and the usual schedule of lessons and training begins.

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Daily Training Schedule

note: There will be breaks during lessons and training, more frequent for the younger weyrlings than the older. Dragon care includes feeding, bathing, and oiling. Human care includes bathing, dressing, and anything else the weyrling can find time for.

Dawn/6th Candlemark - Wake up call, dragon care
7th Candlemark – Bedding care, clean quarters
8th Candlemark – Human care, breakfast
9th Candlemark – Morning Training Exercises
10th Candlemark – First Lecture
12th Candlemark – Lunch
13th Candlemark – Second Lecture
15/16th Candlemark – Afternoon Training Exercises
(17th Candlemark – Possible extra candlemark of lecture, or otherwise expendable time, depending on Weyrlingmaster’s lesson plan)
18th Candlemark – Dragon care
20th Candlemark – Dinner, study time, free time
(Remember, until month 8/9, you are always supervised!)
22nd Candlemark – Lights out


OOCly Training Slate:
Month by month, you will be notified as to what your weyrling will be studying and doing as stated below when the month starts. General RP thread possibilities will be suggested in these mails. Also, any special RP instances, such as important lectures, drills, or otherwise will be instigated through a thread sent out by the Weyrlingmaster-mun or one of the Assistant-muns.

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Monthly Training Schedule

First Month

Dragonet/Dragon care and feeding
Hide care, oiling, types of hide problems and treatment
Basic dragon Anatomy
Beginning dragon first aid
Beginning Weyr etiquette and customs
1st Month Pern History

Basic Rider Knowledge – includes general duties, knots, badges, empathy training.
The dragons will be going through a huge growth spurt, from around 3 foot tall at the shoulder to nearly twenty percent of adult size in this first month. The stress on care of the hide will be tantamount, and dragonhealers will be doing daily and then weekly checks on the dragons during the two times of day that hide care occurs. The new weyrlings will stay in a close group at all times in view of the Weyrlingmasters and each other. As their dragonets become more and more alert after feedings, within the first week of training, the weyrlings will be brought food and they will stay in the area of the Training Grounds and Barracks. The exercises will be wing stretches and strengthening for the dragonets and weight training, beginning marching instruction, and short stints of running for the humans. Certain areas of lecture may be taught by the Weyrleader or the Weyrwoman, and all classes dealing with medicine will be instructed by a Dragonhealer.

Second Month

2nd Month Pern History
Pernese politics
Beginning Pern Geography
Weather Patterns
Dragon first aid
Dragon anatomy

Basic Rider Knowledge – includes Fall duties, flight formation, basic wing formation.
During this month, the first tests of knowledge learned earlier on will begin, continuing throughout training. This is also the first month that, on chosen days, the class will assist in Fall. During Fall, the class will be assisting the weyrhealers in whatever capacity needed, including supply crew, cleaning crew, and ground crew (helping the healers get wounded into the infirmary). This will help them accustom themselves to both a rider’s and a dragon’s reaction to the injuries of Fall. Training will include basic ground drills and continued exercises. This month the dragons will continue to grow rapidly, from twenty to forty percent of their full adult size, so skin care will still be important, although the checkups by healers will only be twice this month, unless deemed necessary.

Third Month

3rd Month Pern History
Politics of the Southern Continent
Southern Continent Geography
Southern Continent Weather Patterns
Dragon first aid
Dragon anatomy

Basic Rider Knowledge – includes complex wing formation, wing personnel and politics
The dragons’ growing is slowing down, going from forty to fifty percent of adult size in this month. Much of this month will be used to concentrate on strengthening the bond between dragon and rider, including blind pair and memory exercises, and fall communication experiments. Ground drill training will become more difficult. During assigned Fall, the weyrlings will continue to assist the healers. This is the first month the dragons will be taught to swim in the lake, the swimming exercise strengthening wing muscles, always with strict supervision. All other tests, drills, and exercises continue.

Fourth Month

4th Month Pern History
Politics of the Northern Weyrs
Northern Continent Geography
Northern Continent Weather Patterns
Dragon first aid

Basic Rider Knowledge – includes riding gear knowledge and fitting, leathercrafting
Growth continues to slow, from fifty to fifty-five percent of full size. The class now begins to practice the firestone toss, readying themselves for next month. Meanwhile they continue assisting the healers during assigned Fall. All swimming, testing, exercises and drills continue as before. Once they have their riding gear and equipment, during ground drills half of the ground drills will be conducted with the weyrlings riding their dragons in formation.

Fifth Month

5th Month Pern History
Social Geography of Pern
The Territories of the Weyrs
The Nature of Threadfall
Dragonrider Etiquette

Basic Rider Knowledge – includes problem solving, threadfall notation and charts
Growth steadies itself, from fifty-five to sixty percent. Still practicing the firestone toss in training, they no longer assist the healers in assigned Fall. Instead, they join the firestone supply chains, delivering firestone bags to low-altitude delivery dragons. All swimming, testing, exercises and drills continue.

Sixth Month

6th Month Pern History
Social Geography of Pern
Hold and Hall Politics
Advanced Threadfall Chartmaking
Geography of Pern – Airborne Visualization

Basic Rider Knowledge – includes equipment maintenance, self-defence, hand signals
From sixty to sixty-five percent stable growth this month. All swimming, testing, exercises and drills continue. Much of it takes a backseat, as this is the month for first flights, a short glide at first, then further and more every day. Firestone duties during Fall continue. Ground drills will start to be run by internally elected weyrlings each session.

Seventh Month

7th Month Pern History
Pern Economic Structure
Advanced Threadfall Chartmaking
Dragonrider Ethics
Self-Defense
Draconic Prevention and Human First Aid

Basic Rider Knowledge – including weyr upkeep, equipment maintenance, hand signals
More stable growth, as the dragons grow from sixty-five to seventy percent of adult size. Flights begin to be extended to short straight flight errands close to the Weyr. Firestone delivery Fall duties, exercises, tests, and drills continue. All drills continue on the ground, but all will be conducted a-dragonback, and there will be an emphasis in drills on hand signals and dragon to dragon commands.

Eighth Month

Study Hall
Political Review
Social Review
Geographic Review
Weyr Review
Health and Healing Review
Basic Knowledge Review
Self-Defense

Continuing in the normal pattern, the dragons will grow from seventy to seventy-five percent of their adult size this month. As the lecture list shows, this month is mostly about review as mid-training testing takes over. One to two lecture hours a week will be thrown open as extra study hall for those who need more help. During the reviews and exams, all exercises will continue at a normal pace (this makes it extra difficult for some, since the pressure is intense). The exams and a follow-up interview with the Weyrlingmaster are held the last week of this month. Those who pass to the Weyrlingmaster’s satisfaction will be allowed to progress and will be assigned to their own private weyr and are given two days off to make the transition. Those who do not pass are held back for another two weeks, given more review time in concurrence with their normal duties and exercises, and after two weeks are tested again. This will continue until the rider succeeds to the Weyrlingmaster’s satisfaction in the weyrling’s abilities and knowledge. If the weyrling is not up to standard, the Weyrlingmaster will not hesitate to hold him or her back, no matter how long it takes or how advanced their partner is. Fall duties, flight practice and errands, exercises, and drills continue as before.

Ninth Month

Problem Solving
The Art of Paperwork
Self Defense
General Review
Rider Knowledge Review

Another five percent in growth, from seventy-five to eighty. Ground drill work begins to lessen as the concentration shifts to flight drills, shifting the ground sequences to air sequences. Flight exercises increase, stamina training and sprint drills in the air begins. Fall duties change as the pairs begin to deliver firestone in flight to high-flying retrieval dragons. Careful eyes are now kept on the weyrlings, as they may be tempted to try Betweening, especially during Fall. Exercise regiment for the human partners now relies on their own discression, as does dragon care and attendance to classes and drills now that they are ensconced in their private weyrs. Weyrlingmasters have been known to become stricter than ever to make sure that the weyrlings realize the importance of self-discipline and restraint. Class hours also become more flexible, depending on the Weyrlingmaster, and sometimes training drills have been known to be called before dawn and after dusk, just to keep weyrlings on their toes. Also in this month, the dragons finally are taught to hunt on their own, now that they are living ‘on their own.’

Tenth Month

Problem Solving
Self Defense
General Review
Rider Knowledge Review

Growth begins to slow to almost imperceptible in the next few months, the dragon may stop for a while and then spurt and slow again, or just continue growing very, very slowly, ten percent in the next four to five months, from eighty to ninety percent of full size. Training wing flights become more complex, a few move outside the weyr. This month, within the first two weeks on the Weyrlingmaster’s decision, the pairs are guided in their first jump Between. This is the most dangerous month for the weyrlings, and it is more than likely that sometime this month, if not within the first few jumps, the class will lose one or more of its bondpairs. The group begins to train jumping between recognition points within the weyr that they learned earlier on. Fall duties continue as before.

Eleventh Month

Problem Solving
Self Defence
General Review
Rider Knowledge Review

Formation training begins in flight, including games that simulate Threadfall. Between training continues, extending the recognition point exercises to nearby external landmarks. Lectures ease off as flight training and duties are extended, including assignments to different Holds to run errands, flying straight at first and then Betweening when given clearance to do so. Self defence classes continue as the only instructional human exercise. Fall duties continue.

Twelfth Month

Self Defence
General Review
Rider Knowledge Review

After this month, attendance to lecture is by choice, with constant reminder that in the final month, there will be tests on all their knowledge from throughout the training. At some point this month, the weyrlings will be assigned to shadow a Sweeprider. The dragons will learn to chew firestone this month, and riders will be reminded on first aid for tongues and overstoking, as well as flame first aid. Ground flaming and flaming in formation while on the ground will be practiced throughout the month. In air formation drills continue, as do fetch and carry duties. Between training continues to extend outward, learning out to the edges of the Weyr’s boundaries. Fall duties become more complex as the pairs are now allowed to deliver firestone to low-flying wings in Fall. All dragons are ordered not to chew or flame, instead the weyrlings are equipped with agenothree containers for safety. This means that all their gear must be Fall ready, and they must be equipped with flight goggles, if they have not been already.

Thirteenth Month

Self Defence
General Review
Rider Knowledge Review

Between training continues, extending to more important Halls and Holds outside of the Weyr’s boundaries. There will be emergency training, involving recreating in air accidents and use of rope drills, as well as bronze and golds learning how to body stop an out of control dragon. Flying drills lengthen, and the dragons begin to learn to flame in formation. Fetch and carry duties continue, as do Fall duties.

Fourteenth Month

Self Defense
General Review
Rider Knowledge Review

Between training continues, extending to Southern Weyr, along with review of all the Southern recognition points. Flight drills begin to lengthen to Fall length. In flight formation flaming drills continue, as does in flight emergency drill training. A few of the drills will include actual wings integrating with the weyrling wing as they train. Fall duties are extended and the weyrlings are allowed to deliver firestone to wings up to mid-flight level. They are still only allowed to use agenothree. Fetch and carry duties continue.

Fifteenth Month

Self Defence
General Review
Rider Knowledge Review

From this month until the end of training, the dragons finish their last five percent of their growth, although some dragons may be full grown even by this point. Their training continues as before, rescue training, flaming in flight formation, and flying long drills. Between training will begin review on all learned recognition points. A few times this month, the weyrling class may be formed into several wings and sent out on Sweepriding duty. Therefore, fetch and carry duty will be by assignment only from now on. This month their equipment will be thoroughly checked by the Weyrlingmaster himself, checking for care and repair state, as well as making sure that all the weyrlings have kept all their equipment in proper order. Some weyrlings grow out of much of the flight gear they are equipped with in the first few months, and now is the best time to catch such discrepancies.

Sixteenth Month

Self Defense
General Review
Rider Knowledge Review

This month continues much the same as last month, with rescue and flight training and drills, as well as continual reviews of Between recognition points. More sweep duties this month, and fetch and carry duties continue by assignment. Also, the Weyrlingmaster and Wingseconds from different wings will hold conferences with small groups of the class, discussing pre-fall preparation and strategy. Interested weyrlings may also apply to shadow wingseconds and thirds during a wing’s training session.

Seventeenth Month

Self Defense
General Review
Rider Knowledge Review

Drills, training sessions, and Between reviews continue as usual. Fetch and carry duties are still by assignment. Selected groups are included by schedule on preFall and postFall briefings. Fall duties are extended to the top tiers of wings during fall. Also, once or twice towards the end of the month, the entire class is worked into the weyrling wing to fly, heavily supervised, on the trailing edge of Fall in the bottom tier of fighting wings. Dragon flaming of live thread will be allowed only if the Weyrlingmaster clears the pair. Otherwise they must use an agenothree canister. The Weyrlingmasters will put pressure on the weyrlings to go back to reviews if they have not continued attendance at this point, as final exams will come next month.

Eighteenth Month

Self Defense
Final Reviews

Drills and training will continue with reviews through until final exams. Sweep duties and retrieval assignments, along with Fall duties will also continue until assignment to a wing. The weyrling wing will fight trailing fall more often this month than last month, up to twice a week. The last week of the month is dedicated to final exams, which means all other duties are suspended. The weyrlings are tested on every aspect of their training, from hide and chart study to flaming and wing formation. The day after the last final, results are posted on the door of the Weyrling Barracks. If a weyrling is found lacking by the Weyrlingmaster in any area of their training, they are kept in training for another two weeks, retested at the end, and this process continues until they are deemed worthy to graduate. Also if a weyrling is too young to be put into a fighting wing (15 or younger), then they must stay in the weyrling wing in their assigned private weyr, under the supervision and order of the Weyrlingmaster. These younger weyrlings, trained but too young to graduate, make up a large part of the weyrling wing. If the weyrling passes, and is old enough, then the day after grade postings, the wing interviews, with the Weyrlingmaster and the Wingleaders or possibly Wingseconds from each wing, are held. The night is spent in deliberation between these parties over where the weyrlings will be placed. The next day, Graduation is held …

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Graduation

The culmination of a weyrling’s long study, this comes after the weyrling either passes all his or her finals satisfactorily or comes of fighting wing age. A ceremony that is often attended by a large portion of the weyr, mainly on curiosity of wing appropriation, it is on principle a simple occasion. The Weyrleaders give their permission for the graduation of the weyrlings, and the Weyrlingmaster usually speaks to the class, sometimes words of encouragement, sometimes words of caution, but always words of pride. Then the class is called up one by one to receive a certificate of graduation, their new living weyr assignment, and their wing assignment. If the wings are overfull, as sometimes happens at the start of a Pass, some of the new riders may still be assigned to the weyrling wing until spaces open up or a new wing has strength enough to form. The weyrlings are usually assigned according to ability, often many are assigned to low-flying wings and, as they become more capable, are assigned to higher flying wings, although there are some exceptions straight out of training.

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Weyrling Rules

As it stands, there are quite a few rules when it comes to training, but these are the most tantamount. Remember that, when a weyrling breaks the rules, the consequences are quick, severe, and leave a tarnish on the weyrling’s training record.

• No physical relationships. This means no kissing, hugging, touching, holding, fondling, or any other physical contact that could be or lead to a sexual encounter. Even, or especially if the weyrling has a previous relationship with that person. They may not start or continue a romantic involvement with anyone, especially another weyrling. This is for the protection of the dragon, as the emotions and physical actions inherent in a romantic/sexual encounter can confuse a young dragon, sometimes to the point of retaliation if they think the other person is hurting their rider. Also, training does enough to wear a weyrling out, they do not have the strength or the time to pursue such interests. For older weyrlings this rule becomes a little more flexible, but still, if you wish to have any sort of relationship, a consultation is required with the Weyrlingmaster, and sometimes that is too embarrassing for the weyrling to broach. Often it is just best to leave such things behind until after graduation, as the punishment for this offence is not just harsh, but often comes from the dragon before the Weyrlingmaster is even involved, which can be emotionally scarring for rider and partner.
   
• No leaving the specified area at any time. This is very important early on as well, as the dragonets need supervision at all times. Any sort of unsupervised leave must be granted by the Weyrlingmaster, and often the weyrling must still have a chaperone. There are always, always acceptable exceptions to this rule, but as usual, everything must be run past the Weyrlingmaster. This is another rule that becomes less strict as the pair grows. Usually, once the weyrlings move into their own, private weyrs, the pair may go where they wish unsupervised, as long as it is within the weyr.
   
• Safety always. The Weyrlingmaster and his Assistants demand attentiveness and awareness of safety at all times, whether it is during drills or during lecture. This means no teasing, no distracting, no daring others to do stupid things, no injuring others on purpose, no tricks or showing off, and especially no attempting anything that hasn’t already been taught. Especially Betweening. Any of this could injure, maim, or even prove fatal. Punishment will be swift and severe, if they have not been already.

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