After Impression
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, the Weyrlings will be allowed a candlemark to show off their new life mates to their admiring families and friends. Then, the group will be taken to the Weyrling Barracks, assigned cots and wallows according to dragon colour 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 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.
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 DragonHealer 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. 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
6:00AM - Wake, feed, bathe, oil dragonet
7:00AM - Bathe, breakfast
8:00AM - Care for human/dragonet bedding, clean quarters
9:00AM - Lessons
12:00PM - Midday meal
1:00PM - Lessons
5:00PM - Study
6:00PM - Feed, bathe, and oil dragonets
8:00PM - Evening meal
9:00PM - Study/Extra Dragonet care
10:00PM - Lights out
Weyrling Barracks
Each dragon pair is assigned an alcove of their own, comprising of a cot for the rider, a wallow for the dragon and a clothespress in which to keep personal effects and clothes. They are required to choose a wallow that is appropriate for their dragons size, and there are markings to signify which alcoves have wallows of a particular size, whether for an average green dragon or an average bronze dragon. The wallow must be able to comfortably hold the dragon until it reaches 8 months of age, at which point they will move out of the Barracks if deemed ready.
Gold dragons and their riders have a selection of one of four private rooms, spacious enough for the large dragon but not extravagant. When there are no gold Weyrlings, these four rooms are designated to the bronze weyrlings currently in training.
Current assignments can be found here.
Major steps in Weyrling Training
Month 0 - Impression
Month 4 - Dragon's first glide, riderless.
Month 6 - First Flight
Month 8 - Moving out of the barracks.
Month 10 - Between
Month 12 - First Flame
Month 17 - Beginning to Fly Fall
Month 19 - Graduation
Lessons
• This list is meant to give weyrlings and weyrlingmasters (and their players) a general idea of what they should be doing at what month. Feel free to use this as a guideline for posts. As a note, these lessons are not one-shot moments; they're meant to be taken throughout the month. (M indicates a milestone lesson; this lesson is typically the most often played out and/or the most important in their training.)
- Controlling the Bond M
- The link between rider and dragon is unique to each weyrling pair, but hatchlings come from the shell without any sense of privacy. They are nosy, curious creatures, and will not hesitate to rifle through their rider's memories as they see fit. Their emotions are also intense during this first month and can influence their rider's thinking without either one being aware of it. Exercises here will focus on learning how to compartmentalize their thoughts and block out feelings or thoughts as necessary.
- Dragon First Aid & Anatomy M
- Weyrlings will learn here the basic physiology of their dragons. Lessons teach weyrlings the different structures of dragons, with a strong focus on skeletal and muscular components, and they will learn how to handle the simplest of injuries (wing sprains, scratches, bruises, and the ever popular digestive issues). These lessons may be taken under the supervision of the Weyr's resident senior dragonhealer.
- Basic Dragon Care M
- Unlike first aid, these lessons focus on teaching weyrlings how to feed, bathe, and oil their young dragons. Points include how to recognize scaly, dry patches; how often to oil a dragon; identifying the signs of hunger versus feeling full; how to muck out wallows; and how to properly soap, scrub, and wash.
- Basic First Aid (refresher)
- This is a refresher course for the [human] first aid lessons that weyrlings had as candidates.
- Weyr Structure
- The hierarchy of the Weyr, how it works, and who reports to whom. Weyrlings will learn how to recognize shoulder knots (for riders) and how to address persons above their stature. Proper etiquette is a focus here. These lessons may be taken under the direction/supervision of the Weyrwoman, or one of her juniors.
- Geography (Weyr)
- The structure of the Weyr itself, including the territory immediately adjacent to it. These lessons should bring answers to questions such as "Where are the Lower Caverns?" or "How far is the ocean from here?" This lesson is more of a necessity for Hold-born weyrlings, though Weyrborn weyrlings may find this a necessary refresher course.
- Physical Fitness (weyrling only)
- Simple aerobics exercises. Examples include (but are not limited to) sprinting around the weyrling yard, bodyweight exercises, and weight training (typically with firestone sacks or something appropriate; each weyrling is different).
Post Ideas: Adjusting to the notion of having a brand new baby dragon always in your head, learning how to care for that very same baby dragon, learning your "sir"s and "ma'am"s. Going from candidate to weyrling is a huge adjustment!
- Controlling the Bond, cont.
- Weyrlings continue to practice and hone their skills with the empathic bond.
- Firestone Grading & Bagging (lecture) M
- Learning how to pick the right size and grade of firestone is essential for weyrlings, who will one day toss bags to riders in the heat of Threadfall. Lessons begin with learning what constitutes "good" firestone and continues with how to select which size for which color. They will also learn how to properly bag and tie.
- Geography (Ista Territory)
- Geography lessons continue by expanding into the rest of Ista Territory. The island is smaller compared to other territories but still vast enough that it requires explanation. Unlike the Weyr geography, this lesson may feel more necessary for Weyrborn weyrlings, who may not have strayed from Ista Weyr. Weyrlings here will learn what holdings lie in their protectorate, where they are, and what they are known for, e.g. High Palisades Hold, located on High Palisades Island to the south, known for its thriving fishing economy.
- Hold & Craft Structure
- These lessons focus more on authorities outside of the Weyr. Recognizing the shoulder knots of crafters as well as the authority of Holders will be important for weyrlings in maintaining good Weyr-Hold relations. Weyrlings will learn how to properly address Holders and Crafters as well as their general hierarchy, e.g. the purview of a Lord Holder or the rank structure of a particular craft. These lessons may be taken under the direction/supervision of the Weyrwoman or one of her juniors.
- Physical Fitness (weyrling only)
- Simple aerobics exercises. Examples include (but are not limited to) sprinting around the weyrling yard, bodyweight exercises, and weight training (typically with firestone sacks or something appropriate; each weyrling is different).
- Ground Drills (dragon only) M
- Basic ground maneuvers. These exercises are meant to both provide strengthening and aerobic exercises for young dragons as well as lay the foundation for later training with wing formations. In the beginning, these drills are done without their riders, though some weyrlingmasters may pair weyrling and dragon exercises (still unmounted; dragons are not yet large enough at this point to hold their riders).
Post Ideas: Grading and bagging firestone is a chore, but it has to be done. You can also expect a lot of exams and fact crunching in this month. How much can you remember?
- Strap Grading & Construction M
- In preparation for their first flights, weyrlings now begin to learn the basics of constructing and maintaining their flight straps. They will go through many sets as their dragon grows, but the first set is a point of pride for many.
- Firestone Grading & Bagging (tossing)
- Now that they have learned what makes good firestone and how to bag it, they must train themselves to be able to toss it. This is not an easy feat for most; bags of firestone weigh a considerable amount.
- Physical Fitness (weyrling only)
- Simple aerobics exercises. Examples include (but are not limited to) sprinting around the weyrling yard, bodyweight exercises, and weight training (typically with firestone sacks or something appropriate; each weyrling is different).
- Ground Drills (dragon only)
- Basic ground maneuvers. These exercises are meant to both provide strengthening and aerobic exercises for young dragons as well as lay the foundation for later training with wing formations. In the beginning, these drills are done without their riders, though some weyrlingmasters may pair weyrling and dragon exercises (still unmounted; dragons are not yet large enough at this point to hold their riders).
- Wing Strengthening & Training
- In preparation for their first flights next month, young dragons begin working on their wing strength. They are subjected to a number of therapeutic exercises designed by dragonhealers to help build up their wings for flight. These lessons may be supervised by a dragonhealer.
- Oral & Written Exams (months 1-3)
- Toward the end of month 3, weyrlings are given both oral and written examinations to test their knowledge on what is learned in prior months. Most of the exams at this point are written since the information is predominantly factual. Can they remember their Holds? Can they remember how to address Weyrleaders, Lord Holders, and Crafters? At the weyrlingmaster's discretion, some weyrlings can be held back if their performance is not up to snuff.
Post Ideas: Constructing your first set of straps, firestone bag tossing with another weyrling, and the dreaded exams! Will you pass?
- Wing Strengthening & Training M
- Wing strengthening continues as dragons are allowed to walk down to the oceanside and enter the water, using its natural resistance to help further train their wings for flight.
- Flying Lessons (dragon only) M
- Toward the end of the month, dragons begin flying on their own. These are short little "glides" that help the dragon get accustomed to flying. As the months progress, they will learn to go higher and farther, but are encouraged not to stress and/or injure themselves.
- Ground Drills (weyrling w/dragon)
- Basic ground maneuvers. These exercises are meant to both provide strengthening and aerobic exercises for young dragons as well as lay the foundation for later training with wing formations. Now weyrlings are able to mount their dragons using the straps they've made previously, though they still cannot fly together yet.
- Leadership Training (select weyrlings only)
- Gold and bronze weyrlings (and in rare cases, some brown weyrlings) are pulled aside from the group to begin leadership training, as they are expected to hold rank. (At the very least, they will become the weyrling "Wingleaders" in later months). These lessons focus on how to be an effective leader, including critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Post Ideas: Swimming in the ocean (with other weyrlings), your dragon's first glide, or if you're lucky, learning how to take charge.
- Wing Formations M
- Learning wing formations. Diamond, box, arrowhead, vee, echelon, wedge — what does it all mean and how do you do it? The young dragons aren't quite ready for flying yet, so these lessons take place on the ground.
- Threadfall Chart Reading
- Reading and deciphering Threadfall charts. Where does it fall? How often?
- Flying Lessons (dragon only) M
- Toward the end of the month, dragons begin flying on their own. These are short little "glides" that help the dragon get accustomed to flying. As the months progress, they will learn to go higher and farther, but are encouraged not to stress and/or injure themselves.
- Leadership Training (select weyrlings only)
- Gold and bronze weyrlings (and in rare cases, some brown weyrlings) are pulled aside from the group to begin leadership training, as they are expected to hold rank. (At the very least, they will become the weyrling "Wingleaders" in later months). These lessons focus on how to be an effective leader, including critical thinking and problem solving skills.
- Threadfall Structure
- How Thread falls, what weather patterns will do it, why formations are necessary, which formations work and which don't, and more.
- Mock Threadfall Charts
- Weyrlings begin creating their own Threadfall charts based on those that they've read. They are asked to predict future Threadfalls using old scrolls and are then asked which formations they believe would better fight their creations. Critical thinking skills are a plus.
- First Flights (weyrling & dragon) M
- Now weyrlings and dragons take their first flights together! This is an exciting moment for both rider and dragon. They are still not permitted more than a short glide, but will gradually work their way up to longer and higher flights.
- Leadership Training (select weyrlings only)
- Gold and bronze weyrlings (and in rare cases, some brown weyrlings) are pulled aside from the group to begin leadership training, as they are expected to hold rank. (At the very least, they will become the weyrling "Wingleaders" in later months). These lessons focus on how to be an effective leader, including critical thinking and problem solving skills.
- Oral & Written Exams (months 4-6)
- Toward the end of month 6, weyrlings are given both oral and written examinations to test their knowledge on what is learned in prior months. Can they accurately read and chart Threadfall? Can they fly with their dragons and remember wing formations? At the weyrlingmaster's discretion, some weyrlings can be held back if their performance is not up to snuff.
- Threadfall Structure
- Threadfall Chart Reading
- Threadfall Involvement (firestone toss) M
- Self-Defense Training
- Physical Fitness (now w/dragon)
- Weyr Selections M
- Personal Weyrs
- Weyrling Chore Assignments
- Self-Defense Training (cont.)
- Flying Lessons (cont.)
- Problem Solving
- Threadfall Management & Prediction
- Self-Defense (sparring) M
- Problem Solving (cont.)
- Location Visualization
- Oral & Written Exams (months 7-9)
- First Jumps Between M
- The first truly frightening moment in a weyrling's life: learning to jump between. They begin with short jumps around the Weyr and slowly work their way up to areas around the Weyr, but are limited for now.
- Hunting Wild Game
- Uniform Maintenance
- Dragon Care, Adv.
- Group Firestone Toss (aerial) M
- Between Training (cont.)
- Weyrling Errands
- Dragon Care, Adv.
- Firestone Chewing (excluding gold weyrlings) M
- Dragons breathe fire in order to fight Thread, but first they must learn how to do so…without singing those around them. Riders must also learn how to feed firestone correctly; too much or too little won't do. Focus in these lessons is producing a good, steady flame without incident.
- Flamethrower Training (gold weyrlings only)
- Since gold dragons cannot chew firestone, gold weyrlings are instead instructed on the operation of agenothree flamethrowers. These lessons are supervised by the Weyrwoman and/or her juniors.
- Restrictions Lifted M
- Now that their dragons are mature enough to fly between and mate, weyrlings are permitted to drink alcohol, have sex, and otherwise do all of that which they were restricted for so many months. Hurrah!
- Mating Flights M
- And speaking of mature…it's time to talk about the birds and the bees. Or the dragons and the dragons, as it were. Green weyrlings are separated from the class and given a primer on what it means when a green is in heat, what mating flights are like, and how to handle a temperamental green. Bronze, brown, and blue weyrlings are given lessons on how to handle their dragons' competitive nature during mating flights. For Holdborn weyrlings or more strict persons this may be quite the eye opener. If there are gold weyrlings, they are given a special lesson by the Weyrwoman on the nature of clutches and what to expect (when she's expecting).
- Weyrling Reviews
- At this time, weyrlingmasters meet with the weyrlings one on one to discuss their progress. This is done well in advance of their tri-monthly exams in order to give them a chance to improve upon anything in which they may be lacking.
- Oral & Written Exams (months 10-12)
- Toward the end of month 12, weyrlings are given both oral and written examinations to test their knowledge on what is learned in prior months. Were their first flames acceptable? Do they understand what is expected of them during mating flights? Can they properly visualize where to go between? At the weyrlingmaster's discretion, some weyrlings can be held back if their performance is not up to snuff.
- Mock Threadfall (low altitude)
- Now weyrlings begin really putting all of their training to use! Before they can be prepared for the true dangers of Threadfall, they begin exercises known as "Mock Threadfall", which consists of painted strings of rope being tossed at them in midair. Successful weyrlings will be able to flame all of the rope before it hits them. Any weyrlings with painted marks on their bodies or their dragons' bodies are pulled aside to discuss what happens when one is Threadscored.
- Flame Training (in wing formation)
- Now that the dragons are familiar with firestone, chewing it, and using it to produce flame, they must now learn how to flame without injuring those around them. While this is typically a standalone exercise, sometimes weyrlingmasters may incorporate this exercise into mock Threadfalls.
- Formation Flying (with existing wing)
- Because they will soon be incorporated into already existing wings, weyrlings must learn to fly with them. This exercise is meant to break them out of the familiar: they have been flying with the same "wing" for a Turn now and must get used to adjusting to new wingmates. Formation flying exercises in this month start in low altitudes and don't involve a lot of aerial maneuvers, only switching formations at the order of a wingleader. A PC Wingleader may choose to lead this lesson with a weyrlingmaster if the players so choose, or an NPC Wingleader can be used.
- Weyrling Duties
- Weyrlings are now allowed a wider range of duties around the Weyr territory. Sweepriding, elevator duty, responding to distress calls at Holds — this is entirely up to the weyrlingmaster.
- Flight Formations and Maneuvers
- Mock Threadfall (middle altitude)
- The exercise continues in this month at a higher altitude, getting the weyrlings accustomed to flying Thread at varying altitudes.
- Mock Threadfall (high altitude)
- The exercise continues in this month at a higher altitude, getting the weyrlings accustomed to flying Thread at varying altitudes.
- Emergency Rescue Training
- Gold, bronze, and select brown weyrlings begin learning rescue maneuvers: how to catch a falling dragon out of the air without injuring yourself, maneuvering through Thread (in this instance with mock Threadfall strings) to catch falling riders, and anything else at the weyrlingmaster's discretion. Blue and green weyrlings may learn how to catch riders in mid-air using practice dummies.
- Mock Threadfall (with existing wing)
- The last of the mock Threadfall exercises, weyrlings will now fly alongside an existing Wing against an onslaught of "Thread". The altitude of these flights varies throughout the month.
- Sweepriding Duty
- Weyrlings are more regularly assigned sweeps through the protectorate at this month. They may still have elevator/transportation duty, but are expected to sweep, typically followed by existing sweepriders from the wings to ensure that nothing is missed.
- First Threadfall M
- The true test of a weyrling! In this month the weyrlings strap up and take on their very first Threadfall — with live Thread. They begin flying at low altitude with the Queens' Wing and slowly work their way up to middle altitude, flying supplemental to whichever wing is flying Thread in that area. At this point they should know how to cooperate with an existing wing, flame without hitting other dragons, and maneuver out of Thread…but accidents still do happen! Will your weyrling make it?
- Oral & Written Exams (cumulative)
- The biggest test of a weyrling's learning capabilities. Now that they have proven themselves capable in Threadfall, they must be tested at an academic level. The test is cumulative and stands as a refresher course for everything that they've learned in the earlier months. The weyrlingmaster may decide to include physical exercises to check a weyrling's capabilities. Few weyrlings fail these examinations (though there are some that do, who are held back until the weyrlingmaster deems fit).
- Graduation (at Weyrlingmaster's discretion) M
- If weyrlings pass with flying colors, they are rewarded with graduation into existing wings. After a small ceremony, they will be assigned to their new wing, forever leaving weyrlinghood behind them!