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Weyrlinghood: Month 5
Manned Flights & Weyrs - July 7-15
Overview
At the end of their fourth month and into the fifth, the young dragons will be evaluated for strength, stamina and comfort manuevering in the air. Once they are deemed grown enough to handle the additional weight, weyrlings will be given the go-ahead to begin flying with them. The first attempts at mounted flight will be supervised, but once they have permission, weyrlings are free to fly anywhere within the Weyr.
Along with this new-found freedom comes an additional perk: private weyrs! All weyrlings will be assigned their own weyr and allowed to move in. Weyrlings should not expect much for their first home, as these weyrs are the empty homes of previous dragonriders, and are in need of some cleaning, not to mention furniture! Now and then, however, a weyrling pair will get lucky, though there are no truly bad weyrs.
Flying also means a new dimension to drills as slowly those ground exercises are adapted for the sky. While ground drills might have gotten comfortable and routine, attempting to do them in the air is quite another matter. This is a dangerous time for weyrlings, as accidents while flying are more likely. Training sessions will be intense as the weyrlingmasters keep a sharp eye on every move the young dragons make while in formation. With no *between* to serve as an emergency escape, mid-air collisions are a real possiblity and stories abound as well of weyrlings who panicked and instinctively ducked *between* only to never be seen again.
Weyrlings are also given their first set of real riding leathers! This first set is a hand-me-down and usually comes with its fair share of scuffs and rubs. However, all sets are intact, without major flaws or tears. No repairs will be needed, but weyrlings may find themselves with a set of riding leathers a bit too large (though never too small).
WLM/AWLM
This month the WLM team is focusing on getting everyone into the air and leaving ground drills behind. It might feel a bit like starting all over again as the weyrlings learn to apply all their training in flight. Aerial drills will be taking up plenty of space to allow the dragons room for mistakes and avoid collission and care is taken to not overwork young muscle. Safety is a number one concern and as the dragons continue to grow and new straps will be needed, the team is keeping a close eye on equipment and instructing their charges to do the same.
With the weyrlings moved out, the barracks have become a much quieter, tidier place, used mostly for coordinating and delivering instruction. Now that barracks supervision is over, the WLM team will have a bit of their free time back. Since the weyrlings can fly, you might take them out on a day trip outside of the Weyr.
Rules
- No sex - Sex is discouraged as training becomes more dangerous, such distractions could put a weyrling pair in real peril and pregnancy during weyrlinghood is a serious offense that would delay the completion of training.
- No getting drunk - While there is no 'rule' against drinking, getting intoxicated is discouraged. Weyrlings will be allowed to use their better judgment when consuming alcohol and anyone caught misbehaving while drunk or missing duties due to a hangover will face the consequences.
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