Candidates - Young people given the chance to Impress. Often former Weyrbrats or those who have been Searched. These young folk hope to Impress. These candidates are Searched between ages eleven to twenty-one, by which time their minds are fully mature, and they no longer have the ability to Impress.
Weyrbrats - Children born into the Weyr, usually to dragonrider parents. Not raised by their natural parents due to tradition. Usually fostered out by the time they're weaned off their mother's milk, sometimes before. The amount of influence a parent has on the child's life is completely up to the parent.
Weyrlings - Young dragons and their riders. Train with Weyrling wing until deemed mature enough to join a fighting wing. A rider must be sixteen turns old before joining a fighting wing--those who have graduated from weyrling lessons before their sixteenth turn are used as messengers.
Weyrfolk - This term is generally used to describe adults who reside in the Weyr that are not unbonded to a dragon or part of a craft. Their job vary widely, from working in the kitchens to building. The vast array of jobs available to positions in a Weyr means that a person living there will be hard pressed to find a job they cannot do. Weyrfolk are generally organised and supervised by the Headwoman and children of Weyrfolk are often raised in the creche and called Weyrbrats. Because of high levels of education in the Weyr it is very rare to find an illiterate person among the lower caverns that was raised in the Weyr.
Crafters - People assigned to a certain Weyr by craft. Serve the Weyr--harpers, tanners, whatever the Weyr needs. Sometimes dragonriders themselves.
Dragonriders - People who ride dragons and live in weyrs. These are the people who have a mental bond with dragons through Impression. After Impression, these people take on the task of destroying Thread and protecting Pern. Risking their lives to sear Thread, they usually are not involved in crafts, unless for a hobby during their limited free time. They live under a hierarchy, led by the Weyrleaders.
Drudge - Drudges work in the lower caverns, away from the majority of the Weyr. These people are usually described as simple, or else unclean.
Wingrider - A dragonrider in a fighting wing. These riders make eighty percent of the dragonriders in any given Weyr. The workforce of the fighting Weyr, a wingrider's job is never done! They may be sent to provide transport, sent to collect needed items, or set on Search.
Searchriders - More of a trait than a rank, searchriders are those with dragons with the ability to see potential to Impress in young people.
Candidatemaster - In charge of taking care of (disciplining) candidates. Teaching them what they need to know about how life is in the Weyr, or how to interact with those of higher rank. Usually a rider himself, the candidatemaster usually is an experienced rider who can handle large amounts of stress. Our current Candidatemaster is Lavi.
Weyrlingmaster - Sometimes an under appreciated rank, but certainly one of the most important. The Weyrlingmaster, usually a blue, brown or bronzerider, trains the Weyrlings in flight, to chew firestone, and to go between, among other things. Preparing them for when they join fighting wings. In charge of disciplining weyrlings as well. Current Weyrlingmaster is T'rel.
Wingsecond - Chosen by merit. Usually a brownrider, or a young bronzerider, who assist and will fill in for a Wingleader if needed. Each Wing has two wingseconds. Our wingseconds are T'nus, and C'mere (npc).
Wingleader - Chosen by merit. A dragonrider, usually a bronze or brownrider, who leads a wing. These riders organize drills, plan formations for fighting thread, and make sure their riders are in good health.
Headwoman - Generally not a dragonrider, the Headwoman is the Weyrwoman's assistant in many ways. In charge of cooking staff, cleaning, maintenance, and fostering. Handles the lower staff.
Master Healer - The person who runs the infirmary at the Weyr. He or she oversees all, and in numerous situations, provides care. Our current master healer is Meela.
Weyrharper - A rider who also serves as the Weyr's harper. Usually a blue or brownrider.
Weyrsecond - Second in command when it comes to military. Usually a bronze or brown rider, experienced, trusted--takes over if Weyrleader is unable to perform duties. Wingsecond in Weyrleader's wing. Our Weyrsecond is T'nus. Before him, Z'iv.
Weyrleader - (Not to be mistaken with Weyrleaders, which could mean both Weyrleader, and Weyrwoman). The Weyrleader is chosen by having his bronze catch the senior queen. The Weyrleader is in charge of the fighting wings, and strategy for fighting Thread. Bronze, sometimes brownrider. Our Weyrleader is R'yn. Before him, T'rel.
Weyrwoman - The first goldrider who's gold rises after a former Weyrwoman's death becomes Weyrwoman. Remains in said position until death, or she choses to retire. The Weyrwoman is in charge of domestic duties. Junior weyrwoman assist and handle records. Our current Weyrwoman is Ticene, before her, Ky't was Weyrwoman.
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