Weyrlings

Weyrlings are recently impressed dragonriders. They stay in Weyrlinghood under the guidance of the Weyrlingmaster until they graduate into the Fighting Wings.

Barracks

Are genders seperated in the Weyrling barracks?

• While female and male weyrlings would have seperated sleeping quarters, everything else would be integrated, including bathing. At the Weyr, nudity and communal bathing is fairly common, so even the Holdbred weyrlings are encouraged to get used to that as quickly as possible.

Daily Life

Restdays

• All schedules are for the first six days of each sevenday. Weyrlings are given a restday on the seventh day of each sevenday, unless Thread falls that day. If Thread falls on the restday, the Weyrlingmaster will designate an alternate restday for the sevenday. Weyrlings must attend to their dragonet's feedings, baths, and oilings on the restday, but the remainder of the time is free time.

Where does my weyrling bathe?

• In the communal bathing caverns. These bathing pools are shared by all members of the Weyr, male and female, who do not have a more private bathing chamber in their weyr or quarters. Nudity has little taboo for weyrfolk, and holdbred weyrlings should learn to adjust to this custom.

Where does my weyrling eat?

• In the Dining Caverns. They are not waited upon by the serving staff or drudges but must fill their own plates and cups, as well as clear away their dishes afterward.

Do dragonets attend classes with weyrlings?

• They attend most of them, though in the earlier classes they are likely to sleep through them, while they're still growing a lot.

Who is in charge of my weyrling's training?

• The Weyrlingmaster. The Weyrlingmaster generally has two formal assistants (designated as his 'Second and 'Third, generally indicating their experience as a rider). While the Weyrlingmaster is typically a bronze or brownrider, they are appointed by the Weyrleader and can be a rider of any color. Weyrlingmasters must be at least 25 turns of age and have at least a decade of experience as a rider. The Weyrlingmaster usually trains the senior-most weyrling group, allowing his 'Second and 'Third to work with the junior weyrlings and candidates. The Weyrlingmaster reigns supreme where his weyrlings are concerned. Even the Weyrleadership will not override his decisions without a great deal of consideration first.

Crafting

Can my weyrling continue a craft?

• Not while in active weyrling training (while the dragon is still growing). There simply is not time for a weyrling to take care of a dragon and learn everything to keep themselves intact in Threadfall and still practice a craft. Weyrlings who are delayed on entering Fighting Wings (those under sixteen or held back by the Weyrlingmaster for one reason or another) are allowed to practice a craft half-days when not needed for duty by the Weyrlingmaster.

Visitations

Can my weyrling visit their family if they do not live at the Weyr?

Yes, so long as they are old enough to /between/ without supervision. They must obtain permission from the Weyrlingmaster to be absent from the Weyr for any reason and let him know when they are leaving and when they will return. Younger weyrlings cannot leave the Weyr, as it means leaving their dragonet behind.

Leadership

How does my bronze/gold weyrling rank in relation to other riders in the Weyr?

• No weyrling outranks any adult dragonrider in the Weyr. The most inexperienced greenrider in a Fighting Wing can give orders to a weyrling of any color and expect them to be obeyed

How does my bronze/gold weyrling rank in relation to other weyrlings in their dragon's clutch?

• On an equal basis, unless the Weyrlingmaster has designated them as group leaders. No weyrling is allowed to use their dragon's color as a basis for 'ranking' another rider, even a weyrling from a more junior group.

How does my weyrling get to be a group leader?

• You should post actively and make an effort to interact with others in the club. Even greens can be group leaders, as those dragonriders can eventually become Wingthirds and can use leadership experience as much as a gold or bronzerider weyrling.

Graduation & Flights

How old does my rider have to be to graduate from the weyrling wing?

• Must be at least 16 Turns old. Younger riders who have graduated from weyrling training stay in the Weyrling's Wing as assistants. (The Fighting Wings are all wings other than the Weyrling's Wing)

How old does my weyrling have to be for their dragon to be in a mating flight?

• Sixteen. Triad does not permit greens with riders younger than sixteen to rise in mating flights. As the weyrling's behavior is altered to benefit their dragon, the weyrling's immaturity will affect the green's behavior as well. Additionally, male dragons do not chase in mating flights before the rider is at least sixteen, though they may delay longer based on the rider. Note: This is a club rule, not necessarily a Pern rule.

How old is the green when she rises?

• In club time, Month 6 under the Weyrling Timewarp, usually towards the end of this month. Some greens rise later than that, depending on other greens rising at the time and rider age. Remember, there are two Pern months to every one RL month, so this takes about a year RL.

Romantic Relationships

When can my weyrling have a romantic relationship beyond holding hands?

• When their dragon learns to /between/. See the Weyrling Training Schedule for details on when that occurs. A weyrling is forbidden to a sexual relationship during their dragon's early months because the young dragon can't comprehend the feelings that this generates in the weyrling. A panicked young dragonet will often cry out for the nearest comforting adult - and the Weyrlingmaster's wrath will be dire indeed.

• It is important to understand that all dragonets react differently. Most dragonets won't be particuarly disturbed by a chaste kiss, and some might not be upset by something a little more. There is no predicting how a dragonet will react, and the Weyrlingmaster would rather be safe than sorry.

• This, combined with the fact that teenagers are not known for their self-control, is why there is a very strict No Intimacy Allowed rule. A kiss might not upset a dragonet--but the Weyrlingmaster would prefer to not take any chances.

• If your weyrling decides to break this rule, there will be harsh in character consequences. Before writing a storyline like this, please be sure to consult the local Weyrlingmaster's author, and let them help you make sure it sticks to canon.