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 Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2009 5:43 pm
Your Guide to being a Candidate/Weyrling 1. When you’re a Candidate, you have almost no free time. You will be assigned basic chores, such as cleaning, cooking, or doing laundry. When you’re not doing chores, you will be given lessons by the Candidatemaster in basic Weyr etiquette, the history of the Weyr, and (of course), dragon biology and behavior. When you’re not doing that, the Candidatemaster might feel inclined to make you run laps, or do other activities that put you into physical shape. Dragonriders are expected to be in top physical shape… Though this isn’t so strictly reinforced once you ‘graduate’ from being a Weyrling, and many fall off the track. Any free time Candidates may have is used for eating, sleeping, or interacting with one another. On rare occasions Candidates may get the day off. Very rare occasions. Their day typically runs from about seven in the morning to four to six at night, with breaks in between.
2. Weyrlings have no free time. When they’re not attending lessons, they are caring to the needs of their dragons. Young dragons require being fed frequently, and for the first few weeks of their lives, don’t do much beyond eat and sleep. Younger dragons eat daily, while older dragonets eat every three to five days. Dragons who cannot go /between/ need their dung shoveled by the Weyrlings. When their dragons are sleeping, they are also assigned similar chores to the ones they did as Candidates. They also perform ‘wing’ drills on the ground with each other.
3. Candidates are strictly discouraged from forming a relationship with another Candidate, and engaging in a sexual activity. This is a practical measure- Weyrlings MUST abstain from all sexual or romantic activity, or it can confuse their young dragons to the point where they will go /between/. You and your partner are not guaranteed to Impress compatible colors either, and females run the risk of getting pregnant. Pregnant females are not allowed to stand, and will not Impress, and it’s possible that the Candidatemaster might not allow the man who impregnated her to stand either.
4. Dragons begin flying at six months old, as a safety measure. They can fly prior to that, but are not allowed to. They reach full maturity at around 18 months of age, though Queens do not sexually mature until they are two Turns.
5. Candidates are expected to be always be polite and mind the leadership of the Weyr they're in. This is their chance for a dragon, and they don't want to ruin it in any way! The Weyr can just as easily send you home if you start something that disrupts Weyrlife, or don't show respect for who's in charge. While Weyrlings are immune from being kicked from a Weyr, it's generally accepted that, since they're still under the protection and guidance of the Weyr and it's leaders, they should be respectful. Failure to do so can result in all sorts of punishments, from latrine duty to never being more than a lacky for other wingriders. Bronzeriders who are disrespectful as weyrlings face the chance that they may never be promoted to Wingleader status, and if they are, may have to work quite a bit harder, to repent and show that they are competent. Same goes for brownriders, however their task of proving themselves to get to Wingsecond is usually nearly impossible, since brownriders are less rare.
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Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2009 5:49 pm
Weyrling Lessons
Note: Not all of these will be RPed out. It's just not logistically possible. But this is the general lesson plan for all weyrlings as they grow older. It is meant to be a reference for RP purposes (i.e. what your dragon can do at various points of their lives) and as the basis for group RPs. Lesson 1
Time Lasted: Months 1-3
Topic: Getting to Know Your Dragon
You Should Know: Basic dragon care including how to properly bathe and oil your dragon, how much to feed your dragon; the rules of the Weyr (no drinking, no sex, and do not stray too far from your dragon); regulation hair cuts may or may not be done in this lesson
Dragons Notes: Not used to being separated from their bondeds and will become distressed if they are left alone for too long; cannot hunt for themselves; cannot go Between; cannot fly; need lots of babying
Lesson 2
Time Lasted: Months 4-6
Topic: Desk Work/Beginning of Preparation for Flight (Ground work)
You Should Know: Basic knowledge of Weyr history, all Weyrlings will be caught up on Harper-taught skills (reading, writing, arithmetic); physical "games" or sorts will begin for this period (tag, swimming, tug of war, relay, etc) to prepare for flight; ground drills
Dragon Notes: Dragons are more independent and more aware of things besides Theirs; other lesson 1 notes still apply
Lesson 3:
Time Lasted: Months 7-9
Topic: Ground Drills/Strap making
You Should Know: Flight formations with practice on the ground as well as learning in the classroom; strap making and maintenance of leather; self defence (?); classroom lectures on riding gear and its maintenance
Dragon Notes: Dragons are larger now and more tolerant (some of them XD); should be exercising often in order to prepare themselves for flight; lessons 1 notes still apply
Lesson 4:
Time Lasted: Months 10-12
Topic: Flight (Solo glides)/Beginning to Hunt
You Should Know: Knowledge of mating flights and their repercussions; dragons can begin to practice their gliding (without a rider on their back) and are expected to practice in their spare time; strap making continues; dragons may learn to hunt by themselves or be taught by an older dragon
Dragon Notes: Lineart change (Sr. weyrling lines)! Dragons are now large enough to hunt for themselves, whether on the ground or with the help of short glides; they are not, however, large enough to carry passengers; the no sex rule has been lifted but it is not a free for all! Some dragons are more sensitive than others, so it is always expected that the rider will respect his or her dragon; riders are allowed to drink but discouraged from getting drunk
Lesson 5:
Time Lasted: Month 13-15
Topic: Firestone and Flaming/Manned Flights
You Should Know: Manned flights are now possible; riders will receive their own set of riding gear; chewing firestone to produce a flame (only under the supervision of the Weyrlingmaster!); flaming can be practiced in class on bits of rope; there will be in class lectures about firestone and flaming as well as multiple exposures to the firestone to show the Weyrlingmaster that the rider can pick good stone for his/her dragon; riding straps are now extremely important
Dragon Notes: Weyrlings now have access to their own weyrs (though, they will most likely be sharing due to over crowding); can fly for short distances while carrying their rider; can fly on their own for longer distances; same rules about alcohol/relationships as lesson 4
Lesson 6:
Time Lasted: Month 16-18
Topic: Going Between/Flight Formations
You Should Know: Ground drills now apply to the air; practicing of flight formations and wing drills; firestone practice continues; dragons are taught how to jump Between, generally only from the bowl to the edge of the beach or to beyond the Star Stones; going Between will be practiced frequently to ensure that the riders are capable
Dragon Notes: Weyrlings have more freedom, however they may not leave the Weyr without permission
Lesson 7:
Time Lasted: Month 19
Topic: Flight Formations/Graduation
You Should Know: Very practiced in formations as well as going Between while in formation; know how to make and maintain riding straps; going Between is practiced frequently by sending the pairs out on small deliveries and trips; nearly all training is done on the wing to ensure that the riders are ready for Threadfall; dragon and rider pairs are fully fledged Wingriders after their graduation and will be assigned a wing.
Dragon Notes: Lineart change (adult lines)! Dragons are pretty well fully grown
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