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Weyrlinghood: Month 5
Theories of Threadfighting and Formations
The Wing
During Pass, wings are constructed according to purpose. Wings meant to fly different parts of the Threadfighting formation contain different types of dragons: greens and blues for fleet, agile wings that chase and eliminate windblown Thread; blues and browns for sturdy wings covering wide ranges of middle sky; bronzes and browns for wings flying the highest parts of the formation where sustained flame is needed to cut large swaths from the falling Thread.
During Interval, wings may stray from this scheme as Weyrleaders and wingleaders strive to make wing units to serve different group functions - whether physical, practical or political.
The Flight
When fighting Thread, wings will be deployed at three levels to maximize the varying strengths of different dragons. By attacking Thread at several levels in the air, the amount of the menace which can reach the ground and form hard-to-destroy burrows is minimized. Most formations consist of a minimum of three flights: an uppermost level which uses sheer firepower to char most of the falling Thread from the sky, working inward from the leading edge of the 'fall; a second level that finishes off partly-burned Thread missed on the first attack and sears deeper into the fall, charring more Thread as it continues to fall; and a third level that handles Thread escaping the wings above, breaking formation and darting after wayward clumps tossed by wind or fumes from other dragons' flames.
In all but the lightest 'falls, a fourth level consisting of the queen's wing fights off remaining Thread with flamethrowers. In very heavy 'falls, extra wings may be added to the formation. More complex formations with staggered flights are also used when inclement weather or challenging ground terrain complicates the battle. The weyrling wing flies resupply or serves on ground crew, depending on need and whether the weyrlings are prepared for flight.
The Ground Crew
On the ground, weyrlings and riders whose dragons cannot fly in formation, as well as volunteers from the coverage area, seek out fallen, surviving Thread and eliminate it on the ground or in its burrows with flame or agenothree. Weyrlings also generally are responsible for carrying firestone to the fighting wings for restocking midair or on the ground. Additionally, healers, medics and riders expert in dragonhealing will be on hand to tend wounds. When Threadfall occurs over an area belonging to a Hold or Crafthall, the local authorities are required to provide additional support for ground crew and may supply food and drink for the riders protecting the area.
Rope Drills
During Interval in particular, Threadfighting formations are drilled regularly by wings in their exercises and occasionally by the Weyr's flights as a whole. Though formations are marched on the ground (both on foot and on dragonback) and flown in the sky and various challenges of weather and problem-solving are presented to the wings as they go through these exercises, the most 'realistic' drill designed to teach and maintain Threadfighting skills is the rope drill.
Rope drills are so named due to the use of paint-soaked ropes, dropped by riders flying above the formation, to roughly approximate the wind-tossed descent of Thread through the sky. The drilling formation flames the ropes just as they would Thread. Riding pairs dodge the painted ropes, honing and maintaining the skills which would allow them to survive a real 'fall. Failure to dodge the ropes has less fatal consequences, of course. A splatter of paint on leathers or hide marks a pair 'injured' and indicates need for more attention to their work and more practice. It is not uncommon for a dragonrider to have a paint-splattered jacket from their term as a weyrling, but by the time they join the fighting wings they're expected to be able to get through drills without being stained.
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