I would
like to thank, H. Schappell, from Southern Weyr, Soucon MUSH, for
letting me adapt the information contained in their website for
this page!
The Senior
Weyrwoman cares for the Residents, children and the Staff of Ista
Weyr. She checks over the tithes, stores and the Weyr as a whole.
She is in ultimate charge of the Candidates and the care of the
human population of the Weyr. Her most important duty is that
of her lifemate, including preparing for all aspects of mating,
clutching and hatching.
She is
essentially the wingleader of the Pegasus Wing and is responsible
for training the Junior Weyrwoman to fly in its ranks. Anything
that is a support to the Rider population of the Weyr is also
under her jurisdiction, for example Firestone stores, accounting
and daily meals. The Headwoman assists the Senior Weyrwoman by
reporting to her on the status of the Lower Caverns, and the Stewards
report to her on the status of the Weyr’s supplies.
The Junior
Weyrwomen have all the duties of Riders, but also assist the Weyrwoman
in much the same way a Weyrsecond assists the Weyrleader. Traditionally
during Threadfall they would fly in the Queens’ Wing, using
flamethrowers while in flight. They generally take up the under-side
of a Wing formation to catch any Thread that the Wing above misses.
They are expected to train in their Wing in a disciplined fashion
and to know as much as a Rider knows. The only time they aren’t
expected to fly Threadfall is when their mature dragon rises and
then takes to the sands with a clutch. This is all in the hides,
but not in practice as there is no thread on Dragonsfire.
If the
Senior Weyrwoman’s dragon does not rise for a long time,
or on the retirement or death of the Weyrwoman, then a Junior
Weyrwoman, usually the ‘eldest’ and most able is expected
to become Weyrwoman. The Junior Weyrwoman is required to assume
all duties that come with the position.
Junior
Weyrwomen flights are up to the Senior Weyrwoman. She may be asked
or she may ask to run a flight that results in an off camera clutch.
She may be asked to hold a full-fledged mating flight with a PC
clutch. How the Senior Weyrwoman decides Search will run may differ
from Weyrwoman to Weyrwoman, from Junior to Junior and from Clutch
to Clutch, depending on experience and time commitment. Junior
Weyrwomen are expected to help select new Candidates and new Riders,
and to participate as fully as RL permits in the entire Search,
Clutch and Hatching process.
There
are many duties that a Weyrleader carries out, mainly focusing
on overseeing the fighting Wings and traditionally the fighting
of Thread. The Weyrleader is like a commander in Chief, and a
wise Weyrleader delegates many of his numerous duties. The Weyrleader
appoints the Wingleaders, the Weyrsecond and the Weyrlingmaster,
though he keeps an eye on the Weyrlings to ensure that they are
all being trained properly. Regular Wing reports from the Wingleader
enables him to know how the Wings are faring. If, for any reason,
any of his ‘staff’ are not functioning to his liking,
it is the Weyrleader’s right to appoint another in their
place. If there is a problem, then it is the Weyrleader that arbitrates
the disputes between his ‘staff’ members, and/or between
other Riders who can appeal to him for a final decision in a dispute.
The Weyrleader
is responsible for making sure that the dragons in the Weyr are
cared for and that they are all functioning at an optimal level.
Through his Wingleaders he ensures that the Riders are fully prepared
for their duties.
Additionally,
he ensures that the Holds and Crafts in his sweep area are following
their parts in keeping their areas safe from Thread in traditional
manner. This does include getting regular Sweep reports from the
Wingleaders. He also acts as an ambassador of sorts to the Holds
and Crafts.
When there
is a change of Weyrleader, there may be a change in the order
of Wings. It is the Weyrleader’s responsibility to respond
to his Wingleaders’ need for new Riders or for anything else
that the Weyr’s Wings need.
Weyrsecond
isn’t an official IC position, but it does however hold some
importance on the game. The Weyrsecond is basically the Weyrleader’s
Wingsecond, and should assist the Weyrleader in all their duties
and may even be given some duties exclusively. The Weyrsecond
is often part of a Wing, but is not expected to be and duties
will vary under each Weyrleader.
Additionally,
Weyrseconds act as the second in command of the military branch
of the Weyr, and can act as the Weyrleader in situations where
the Weyrleader cannot participate. On the death of a Weyrleader
it is often the Weyrsecond who takes on the role of Weyrleader
until the Senior Gold rises once more.
Wingleaders
are, in many ways, the Weyrleader's wing-representatives. Their
job is to oversee and coordinate the riders placed in his or her
wing.. In order to do this, the Wingleader must oversee drills
and keep a firm eye on his or her riders to make sure that they
are fit and able to do their duties. The riders themselves are
accountable to the Wingleader, and should they get into trouble
in any way, the Wingleader should be closely involved in sorting
it out. Often, brown or bronze riders serve as Wingleaders, because
it is beneficial to the wing for their Wingleader to be available
throughout the whole fall. When a greenrider is Wingleader, he
or she will most likely be unable to fulfill this, and their Wingsecond
will take over. A Wingleader reports directly to the Weyrleader
with all things.
Wingleaders
also have the job of selecting and training riders from the weyrling
ranks in order to add them to their Wing. With all of their riders
they must ensure that that sweep riding and patrolling, as well
as watch/transport duty is being done to an acceptable and expected
level at all times. It is expected that Wingleaders will maintain
a high level of discipline in their wings, on both personal and
military levels.
Grievances
and incidents within the Wing rarely get taken to the Weyrleaders,
the Wingleader and/or Wingsecond are expected to handle them efficiently
on a day to day basis. Reports on Sweeps, and other Wing related
matters, are discussed with the Weyrleader in regular meetings.
This includes hide work sent to the Weyrleader every sevenday
to report on the health and readiness of the wing.
Wingleaders
are expected to RP with the riders in their Wings often, and must
ensure that a certain level of Wing activity is reached at all
times. It is highly encouraged that events such as sweeps and
RP'd drills are played out, in order to develop the Wing as a
RP body. At all times, they must keep their Wing members notified
with what is happening in the Wing, whether or not it is being
played on camera or off.
While
Wingleaders are, in many ways, the Weyrleader's wing-representatives,
Wingseconds are as invaluable to their Wingleader as the Weyrsecond
is to the Weyrleader. Their job is to assist the Wingleader in
the management and coordination of the riders placed in his or
her wing. Wingseconds are no less involved in oversee drills and
keeping a firm eye on his or her riders to make sure that they
are fit and able to fight thread. The riders themselves are accountable
to the Wingleader, though the Wingsecond is often the first line
of defense and management in the chain of command. A Wingsecond
reports directly to the Wingleader with all things. This is most
common in wings led by blue and greenriders, due to the stamina
of their dragons.
Wingseconds
must assist the Wingleader in selecting and training riders from
the weyrling ranks in order to add them to their Wing. With all
of their riders they must ensure that that sweep riding and patrolling,
as well as watch/transport duty is being done to an acceptable
and expected level at all times. It is expected that Wingseconds
will assist the Wingleaders in maintaining a high level of discipline
in their wings, on both personal and military levels.
Grievances
and incidents within the Wing rarely get taken to the Weyrleaders,
the Wingleader and/or Wingsecond are expected to handle them efficiently
on a day to day basis. The Wingleader is often the 'first line'
of management encountered for discipline, and will often run interference
for the Wingleader. Reports on Sweeps and other Wing related matters,
are discussed with the Weyrleader in regular meetings. This includes
hide work sent to the Weyrleader every sevenday to report on the
health and readiness of the wing.
Amongst
the most basic duties that any Rider carries out are the feeding,
bathing and oiling of their lifemate. Adult dragons feed once
every three to five days, and at this time eat a number of wherries
or a herdbeast. Most of the food is provided in the Feeding Grounds
of the Weyr, but occasionally Riders will go hunting when the
conditions are favourable. Bathing and oiling are also frequent
chores, each holding the potential to take many hours, depending
on the size of the dragon. Scrubbing is usually accomplished using
the sediments where the bathing is taking place, but oils must
be prepared and most Riders keep a number of jars on hand in their
individual weyrs.
Sweeps
or patrols are part of a Dragonrider’s duties. Not only does
it provide a duty for the Wings and individual pairs outside of
Threadfall, but also it provides a Weyr presence to be seen at
Hold and CraftHall. By doing this, the Weyr is able to inspect
the Holds and Crafthalls to ensure that they are doing their part
to guard against Thread. Additionally, it provides a service for
the Holder and a link between Hold and Weyr. All Threadfalls are
normally predicted from Threadfall charts, though Riders out on
sweeps keep a lookout as well.
Riders
are self-sufficient up to a certain point. They make their own
riding leathers and clothing, though may spend the marks to have
them made as well. Sometimes they make their own furniture and
brew their own ale and liquors. No Rider trusts anyone else to
make the riding straps necessary for safety, and they will often
spend spare hours making new ones or repairing worn straps. Riders
generally clean out and tend to things in their own weyrs, but
they frequently leave the raising of children to others since
they do not have the time.
Dragonriders
should be versed in the basic anatomy of a dragon. For example,
hide does not have scales, and dragons do not have red blood,
they have green ichor. If Dragonrider players plan on going idle
for long periods of time they need to let the Weyrleadership know.
In addition to this, any pregnant Dragonrider needs to let her
Wingleader, the Weyrleader and the Weyrwoman know. Female riders
do not get pregnant easily unless they have a reason to be grounded
-- injury or a clutching gold. The first and third trimesters
are the most dangerous and during this time betweening is not
recommended.
Actively
holding and participating in mating flights is highly encouraged!!
Riders of Female dragons should use the bb’s, to post information
about their flights. Players should also try to participate in
Wing activities!
Weyrlingmasters
are the trainers of the Weyr, preparing new Riders for everything
that they may come across during their Riding lifetimes. This
encompasses anatomy, Wing Formations, Firestone chewing and many
other things. They do not serve in any Wing, as there is inevitably
always a class to be taught. The Weyrlingmaster reports to the
Weyrleader, and keeps him updated as to the progress of his/her
charges.
Weyrlingmasters
are expected to get the new Riders up to speed in RPing dragonriders
correctly. They're expected to deliver a series of lectures to
enable them to do this. They decide when a pair is up to speed
and can graduate both IC and OOC.
Weyrlingmaster’s
are expected to help the new Riders' players with code and good
coding practice, and to teach proper etiquette and use of the
DTU's. They are also expected to stress the importance of IC behaviour
to the Weyrlings, and teach them how to properly RP both a dragonrider
and dragon. This is normally done with a series of lectures and
Rped training on a regular basis.
The greatest
demand on a Weyrlingmaster and his/her assistants is the time
commitment, although the preparations, code and lectures are not
far behind. For the time it takes for the Weyrlings to be transfer
from being a newly impressed Rider to graduating the Weyrlingmaster
crew is expected to take a very active part in the training and
instruction of these new Dragonrider players
Assistant
Weyrlingmasters are assigned their duties by the Weyrlingmaster;
and it often varies from Weyrlingmaster to Weyrlingmaster. However,
usually it includes duties that include flight/*between* training,
discipline, crafting, and lectures.
Assistant Weyrlingmaster’s are expected to OOCly aid the
Weyrlingmaster in all of his/her duties and tasks and whatever
else the Weyrlingmaster asks him/her to do.
The newest
riders in the weyr, the Weyrlings main concern is learning the
ins and outs of dragonriding and caring for their lifemates. They
supply the rest of the 'fighiting wings' with bags of firestone.
Weyrlings are expected
to attend classes OOCly to learn how to use the various codes
as well as the IC duties of a rider.
The Weyrwoman
appoints the Headwoman, and, to quote from Moreta, her duties
are to supervise ‘the general domestic machinery of the Weyr
and the individual weyrs of the riders. Among her duties are the
care of the young; the supervision of food collection, storage,
and preparation; weyr maintenance; and nursing, under the aegis
of the Weyr healer(s).’ In addition to helping interview
residents, the Headwoman oversees the placement of nannies, works
with the Weyrwoman on fostering and apprenticing likely children
and helps integrate crafters into the Weyr. She’s also in
charge of the Candidates and the assignment of their chores.
Selected
by the Headwoman, the duties of Assistant Headwoman can be anything
from the general conjecture of all duties as the Headwoman's second,
or those of being placed in charge of a certain area, like the
Kitchens, Nurseries, or Stores. Thus they may organise duty shifts
for Nannies, inventory the Weyr's stores of food, clothing, and
minor items of furniture and tools. Additionally, they may work
with junior weyrwoman and the Weyrwoman to keep track of Crafter
postings, fosterings, and work with the Weyr’s crafters to
see that things are and stay in good repair.
Whilst
this position was only mentioned as in use at the Holds within
the books, it's spread to include job possibilities at the Weyrs,
as well. The Steward, like the Headwoman, is appointed by the
Weyrwoman, and works with both to oversee and keep records of
money matters and, especially, tithes expected and received by
the Weyr. He might work with a beholden Hold or Craft to arrange
for the tithing of certain materials needed or in short supply
at the Weyr, as well as assist with the settling in of new residents.
Chosen
by the same process that makes the assistant Headwoman, the duties
of assistant, or junior, stewards are often specified areas of
the Steward's own duties. For example, they might act as messengers
or be responsible for the records of one particular beholden area.
Cooks
are the producers of edible food within the Weyr. They are usually
involved in cooking the standard fare for the Weyr: bread, stews,
soups, roasts, simple fruit and vegetable dishes. The Weyr’s
Bakers, who have the knowledge and skill to produce the fancier
foods, oversee their efforts.
These
residents oversee the welfare and care of children too young to
be fostered and those whose parents, usually Riders, who might
choose not to foster but are too busy to take care of their offspring
on a day-to-day basis. As the children get older, a nanny might
work with the Headwoman and her assistants to find jobs to assign
the children to. They might choose these jobs to lead the child
into expressing a preference for a craft apprenticeship or permanent
position at the Weyr. Nannies might assist the WeyrHarper and
will at least ensure that the children learn their lessons.
Residents of the Weyr
are not idle, there are many other positions they fill, such as;
This is
really a jack of all trades! They’ll be called upon to handle
small jobs like replacing hinges on doorways, building shelves,
mending or making fences, repairing broken furniture or tools
about the Weyr.
Both ground
traps and crossbows are used to hunt game around the Weyr. Wherries,
Herdbeast and other smaller game are found in the jungles surrounding
Ista Weyr and the hunters will go out singly, or in teams. Riders
might assist in their free time, with the knowledgeable hunters
assisting them by finding good locations for game, as well as
with the gutting and skinning if that's done before returning
to the Weyr.
Most Weyrfolk
are able-bodied, though drudges (the handicapped or mentally incapacitated)
do exist, though aren’t the most common sight. There are
people, nevertheless, who take care of what might be considered
the "unskilled" jobs, like washing the dishes and serving
tables. Quite often these are Candidates, but occasionally a few
residents choose to work under the Weyr's cooks and Bakers.
A Weyr
produces lots of dirty clothes, dirty sheets, and dirty towels!
Thus the need to clean and replenish all of these. The resident
working with laundry would spend a good deal of time boiling and
washing clothes in huge cauldrons within the Weyr. Riders and
weyrfolk might choose to handwash some of their more delicate
clothing, but the residents take care of the greater bulk of dirty
linens. Most of the washing is done outside, so there’s sometimes
a light breeze and certainly enough area to string up and dry
the laundry.
A Wine
Steward has a number of duties within the Weyr, the principal
one to ensure that there is always a choice of wines at the Weyr
of different qualities for different purposes. He/She ensures
that the cooks have wine to cook with, that there's wine for riders
after flights and threadfall, that the Healers have wine for dosing
patients, and that there's wine for dinner and other occasions.
They will be responsible for tasting the new vintages as they
come into the Weyr and decide which need to mature for later drinking
and which are to be saved for special occasions like hatchings.
These
are Residents who specialise in clothes mending. Even though they
haven’t served an apprenticeship with the Weavercraft, they
might still be skilled enough to not only mend clothes, but to
make the more simpler everyday wear items, whether by weaving,
knitting or embroidery. The mending is one way they can earn a
few marks from riders too busy (or too lazy) to do their own,
or, in the case of those pregnant riders and other members of
the weyr who need a quick alteration to a skirt or tunic.
A stablehand
helps in the stables of Ista where the animals of visitors to
the Weyr might be temporarily stabled. They would be mucking,
grooming, feeding, and looking after the upkeep of the animals.
Additionally, they might also have an eye to the herdbeasts at
Ista as far as health, watering, and feeding conditions go for
those beasts in the Feeding Grounds. Stablehands work in close
association with the Weyr's Herders, acting as assistants to them.
There
are many things that residents may be doing, even if they don’t
have a Staff position. They can be roleplayed out on camera, or
merely referenced in conversation:
Checking
and changing glows (glows are a type of fungus which luminescence
when exposed to oxygen). This chore involves closing the glowbaskets
along in various rooms to preserve the glows, and checking all
glowbaskets to see if any are dim enough to need replacing. It
also includes sweeping the caverns, dusting and helping to wash
laundry.
Tunnelsnakes
are native nasties that have two claw-tipped forelimbs and a long,
snakelike body and live in narrow nooks and crannies of the Weyr's
structure. They have no redeeming qualities at all and inherently
vicious. Their meat is inedible and their hide is of poor quality.
They travel around the Weyr eating unprotected herbs and other
foodstuffs. A tunnelsnake hunter's in charge of trapping, killing,
or poisoning these pests -- and then gathering their corpses.
Washing
and peeling tubers and greens, cutting vegetables, stirring stews
and soups, mincing meat or slicing cheese for various dishes,
serving at meals, collecting and cleaning dirty dishes, setting
out clean tableware.
Mucking the stables, gathering greens, grooming runners of Weyr
visitors, bagging firestone,weeding, clearing jungle.