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Weyrlinghood: Month 6
Flaming & Rope Drills - April 23 - May 1
With the introduction of aerial drills in the past month, the weyrlings schedule has become a more concrete thing. There are morning exercises, in the form of laps around the bowl or swimming at the pool, breakfast for dragon and weyrling, followed by morning aerial drills and baths. The hottest part of the afternoon is now devoted to classroom lectures on visualization, discussion of different drills, and etiquette lessons (interacting with holders, dancing, etc), while the afternoon sees a range of activities depending on the mood of the weyrlingmaster at the time. More and more, you'll be leaving the Weyr as a group to go flying over neighboring areas.
Meanwhile, other academics are coming to a close. Weyrlings who have required harper lessons will now be tested on their knowledge of the material and released from further instruction. As the days are busy enough, most weyrlings are extremely eager to finish this portion of their training and may be cramming and preparing for tests or experiencing anxiety as they wait for their scores.
The introduction of firestone comes early in the month, with first lectures on how to tell good firestone from bad, the mechanics behind producing flame and important safety procedures. When the weyrlingmasters are satisfied that the subject is being handled in a mature, responsible manner, weyrlings will begin flaming lessons with a low-grade firestone. By the end of the month, flaming will be incorporated into regular drills using ropes that the WLM team will drop from overhead. The mock Thread is a heavy rope, cut two to six feet in length, and soaked in dye. Dropped from above, it simulates Thread and is an easily seen target for the weyrlings to aim for. If contact occurs, a dark stain is produced to show both the Weyrling, and the rest of the world, that the pair was not quite quick enough. It's not uncommon for the Weyrlings, and dragons, to spend several days covered in colorful, blotchy stains.
This is a highly dangerous time for the weyrlings, almost as much as Between lessons, and injuries are common. They range from minor burns and smoke inhalation, to major injuries and even death. However, as more and more skills are combined, weyrlings may find themselves with more and more free time to relax or, well, maybe tend their injuries.
WLM/AWLM
Many of the skills the weyrlings have been learning have been condensed as they all come together. While this means things are a little less busy, they can also be more stressful as weyrling activities become more dangerous. Flaming is bad enough, but soon they'll be going between, which is just as scary for the weyrlingmasters as it is for their charges. A few weyrlings may also need a bit of extra help preparing for their exams or getting the hang of firestone and flaming. But they can also be more fun now that the dragons are more experienced and better capable of handling themselves and more opportunites are available to them. There might be something a little cathartic about dropping rope on them, too.
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.
- No leaving the Weyr without permission - As the weyrlings are now quite comfortable flying and have begun training in how to interact as a representative from the Weyr, they will be allowed to leave the grounds and fly straight to anywhere on the island as long as they have permission to do so from their WLM team.
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