Weyrlinghood

[lithle]

Weyrlinghood

Weyrlinghood at Warden's Weyr isn't significantly different than being a weyrling at another Weyr. Admittedly, weyrlings elsewhere have a bit more freedom, especially in a time where thread no longer inhibits dragonriders from pursing work as craftsmen or transport. Not so at Warden's Weyr. Here, dragons guard. Full stop. If there's any light at the end of this particular tunnel, it's that Samith's clutching might just mean that they'll eventually have enough dragons to bring the work down to a more reasonable lesson. Then again, there are more prisoners pouring in every day.

Jr. Weyrlings live in the dorms, Sr. Weyrlings are allowed their own weyrs. Prisoner Weyrlings are housed seperately, and, while they're sometimes trained with their peers, their lesson plan and general outlook does differ in a number of places.

Lesson Plan (Traditional Weyrlings)

Month One

General dragon care
-Feeding. Oiling. Introduction to dragon illnesses.

Weyrlinghood Rules
-No fighting. No sex. No smiling. No looking at me funny.

Team Building Exercises
-Games that your average thirty-year-old would rather not be caught playing.

Month Two

General Education
-All riders are expected to know how to read, write, and figure.

Physical training
-Dragons and riders both are expected to be and stay in good physical condition. If someone impresses who isn't, this will be the time that they're made to meet those expectations.

Introduction to Law
-Warden's dragonriders are expected to know the crimes that can land a person in Warden's as well as how the 'justice system' works.

Months Three and Four

Introduction to Guarding
-Weyrlings will be placed with human guards, particularly those watching prisoners working outside the prison compound. They'll be tasked primarily with 'calling for help' should a prisoner act inappropriately.

Introduction to Leatherwork
-Weyrlings will begin to learn how to make and repair riding straps.

Continued Physical Training
-The fun never ends!

Ground Formations
-Squad formations will be learned and memorized.

Months Five and Six

Learning the Grounds
-Dragons and riders both will be taken on a walking tour of the areas they will eventually be patrolling.

-Riders will ride double with on-duty squads, where they'll have a chance to experience their future tasks up close.

Teamwork Lessons
-Games with the intent of building skills such as leadership, obedience, and problem-solving. These will be observed carefully, for people who show signs of making good future Squadseconds.

Unmanned Flight
-Dragons will be permitted to try out their wings.

Month Seven and Eight (Sr. Weyrlings)

Hunting
-Dragons will be expected to be able to hunt for themselves.

Flight
-Dragons will be expected to be able to fly for significant periods. Squad formations will be practiced in the air. Manned flight is not yet permitted.

Month Nine and Ten

Firestone
-While this is rather immaterial, as there's no thread, firestone will be introduced.

Manned flight
-Short flights with riders will begin.

Betweening Theory
-weyrlings will learn the theory behind Betweening. They will practice memorizing and transmitting images. Actual Betweening will not be practiced.

Month Eleven and Twelve

Flights in Formation
-Longer flights in squad formation practiced

Squad Leadership
-Weyrlings who show promise will be permitted to try leading a 'weyrling squad' on a short patrol.

Betweening
-Weyrlings will be permitted to practice going Between. This is done with intense supervision.

Month Thirteen

Graduation!
-Weyrlings will be sorted into squads. Congratulations! Let a life of hard, exhausting and thankless work begin!

[lithle]

Prisoner Weyrlings

As yet, there is no set lesson plan for Prisoner Weyrlings. There haven't been any. But L'vey and the Warden have worked out a few rules.

1. They are to wear a bright, glaring yellow, just as they wore red before they impressed, but are not limited to a single outfit, just a single, predefined color.

2. They are not to be taught anything regarding betweening. Whether they may eventually be taught should the prove themselves as Weyrlings is still being argued about.

3. Should they show any signs whatsoever of recidivism their dragons will be crippled before they are old enough to carry a rider, or at any point thereafter.

4. Prisoners who are deemed reformed by the end of weyrlinghood will be considered to be 'free' when they graduate.

5. Prisoners are not necessarily expected to become guards. Those who wish to may be trained in that direction (though they won't be allowed full rank in a squad until they've served a reasonable amount in the Warden's squad). However, they will also be permitted to pursue craft or transport occupations. They're also free to attempt to transfer to another Weyr or Weyrhold, but they're unlikely to have much luck finding any that will take them in.