world :: guides :: timeline :: maps :: dragon*con notes :: riding straps :: renewable airforce :: firelizards
Notice: These are simply discussions, and not intended to be absolute canon. This is the product of many weyrs and people working together, and I didn't get ALL the information. These pages are subject to change as I compile the notes of all the BoD. Let me know if you have any questions about anything. These are not necessarily canon, and Cibryen doesn't necessarily adhere to all of these. This is simply here for those who couldn't come to Dragon*Con.
All that Glitters :: Crafters :: Dragonhealing - Their blood is green :: Dragon Sex :: Healer Hall :: Renewable Airforce :: Weyrling Training
Presented by Helene Schappell
| AGE PERIOD | PROBLEM |
| Newly Hatched | Wounds
from tripping/falling Overeating Itchy hide from quick growth |
| Early Weyrlinghood | Constipation
from overeating Stomach complaints from overeating Itching hide from growth Wounds from general accidents Muscle injuries from overexertion |
| Mid Weyrlinghood | Skin
complaints from straps Tongue bites Stomach complaints from firestone digestion Muscle injuries from overexertion Wounds from landings/takeoff Talon loss from lanings/takeoff, hunting, etc |
| Late Weyrling to Adulthood | Stomach
complaints from firestone digestion Skin complaints from straps Muscle injuries Wounds landing/takeoff Talon loss from landings/takeoff Threadscores |
Dragon's tails are forked, almost arrowhead in nature, and where their sphincters are located. Excreta may be stored for several days, before being expelled between by adult dragons. Weyrlings are not able to go between and need to have their rider muck out their couch. Additionally, a dragon's genitalia are concealed behind pouch-like flaps of hide under the junction of tail and body. these are only revealed during mating.
If a dragon is allowed to overeat repeatedly, he or she will become constipated, complaining about their stomach being in pain, and occasionally even complaining about their genitals being in pain. The most visible sign will be a thickening of their tail, as the excerta is stored, and begins to compact. This is a common complaint in weyrling dragons.
Assessment:
Has the dragon been overeating?
Detemination:
Is the tail thickened with stored excreta?
Treatment:
- The dragon must be made to consume at least a gallon of linseed oil, or aloe juice. Purge sticks are something the Weyrlingmasters use to frighten Weyrlings into taking care of their lifemates properly, but don't have any purpose other than this
- Several hours to a day later, the dragon will need to be restricted to gentle activities. During and after this time, the bowels will loosen and the stored excreta will be expelled.
Recovery:
The dragon may bee a day or two to recover. Riders should clean up after their lifemate. This generally serves as a reminder to watch what their dragon eats
Dragon muscles are, on the whole, silvery-grey in color, though where the ichor supply is rich, for example in the wings or legs, then the grey darkens and may even be tinted green from the ichor. They are heavily muscled, particularly in regards to their back legs; this allows them to leap far off the ground when they take off.
Injuries that seem to affect the muscles may also include the tendons and ligaments. Sprains happen when ligaments at, or near to, a joint are stretched, or damaged. A strain is a partial tearing of the muscle, often near the junction where the muscle and tendons anchor to the bones. Muscle may also be ruptured, where there is complete tearing of the muscle; this may occur in the fleshy part of the muscle, or in the tendon. Finally, there is always the association of deep bruising that can be extensive in large bulky muscles. Sprains, strains, and deep brusing are very common and may occur from a wrenching, a sudden or violent movement that tears at surrounding tissues, or from overstretching muscle groups.
Injuries of this nature can occur in wings, forelimbs, hindlimbs, neck and even tails. (From mating flights!) In young dragons it can be prevented through the use of muscle exercises, especially utilizing the water to develop groups before they can be used as the water will cushion any deleterious effects.
Assessment:
If the dragon is in pain, then ask a gold to dampen that and still the movement. Involve the rider in this, and ask them for details of the injury. If this is the result of a mating flight, then the Dragonhealer needs to make sure that they start handing the rider skins of wine. Take control of the situation, but never forget to ask a rider first for permission to approach their lifemate: big dragon, in pain, a dangerous combination.
Determination:
Is the dragon favoring one limb/wing, etc over another?
Is there any swelling?
Local pain in the area, eased on elevation?
Treatment:
- Numb the area with numbweed
- In severe cases, it may become necessar to splint the injury, and allow it to rest properly. Splint with tree trunks, branches, or other materials that have been prepared beforehand. Supplies of these should be kept in every dragon infirmary.
- The site of the injury should be rested and immobilized; with the dragon restricted from flying if there is an ankle, leg, or wing injury. If its a neck or tail injury, only gently flying should be allowed, and they should be restricted from mating flights (dragons shouldn't want to participate anyway if they aren't feeling well)
Recovery:
Recovery time depends on the severity of the injury. This could be anything from a day or two, to several sevendays. Muscle injuries often benefit from immersion in salt water, and gentle exercise in the water. Both rider and dragon should be cautioned about returning to duty to soon as the area may remain prone to similar injuries for some time.
Dragonhide is soft to the touch and hairless. It is not metallic in nature and doesn't have scales. It is extremely resilient to most abrasive injuries and provides, like human skin, a barrier to infection. Absorption of topical substances such as numbweed and oil is possible, though it can take somet imes to penetrate the thick epidermis to reach the germative layer.
Dragon hide should show no fluctuation in coloration unless there is a problem that has not been treated. Some may deepen with age, or turn grey at the muzzle, but on the whole they do not deviate from their base color. If their hide appears dull, patchy. or grey, then a Dragonhealer is needed.
There are three main areas of neglect that will affect a dragon's hide. The first problem lies in the fact that a dragon's hide needs to be oiled regularly. If it is not, then first dry patches, then cracks will appear, which can be fatal when going between. This can be a particular problem in young dragons that grow so rapidly, but older dragons are not exempt. In weyrling dragons, oiling daily in a necessity. Riders benefit from this by having incredibly soft hands. The second is the problem of ill-fitting straps. Straps that are not flexible, or that are cracked or damaged, can chafe a dragon's hide. These area can become hypersensitive and crack leading to problems when going between. The third, and final problem is that of dull, lackluster, and grey hide. If this is the diagnosis then the immediate thought should be dehydration, followed by investigation of some injury that has not been treated correctly.
Assessment:
Ask the rider when they last oiled/bathed their lifemate.
Determination:
Is the skin itchy?
Do there appear to be dry areas?
Is one part of the hide paler than the other?
Is the hide flaking?
Treatment:
- Instruct rider to bathe the dragon, paying particular attention to the problematical region. Use copious amounts of sand, and scrub the dead hide away.
- The dragon should be thoroughly oiled, with particular attention paid to the problematical region.
- Numbweed may be applied at Dragonhealer's discretion
Recovery:
Dragon should not between when there is a risk of the dry hide cracking. Once treated, the problem should clear up in a day or two. Riders should be instructed to pay closer attention to their lifemates and in particular to that region.
Assessment:
Are there patches that appear discolored, as if rubbed raw? Dry Areas? Hide flaking?
Determination:
Are the straps ill-fitting?
Are the straps broken, twisted?
Are the straps not flexible?
Does the problem develop when the straps are put on?
Does it develop when they are laying on their couch?
Is it more painful than itchy?
Treatment:
- Instruct the rider to bathe the region, paying particular attention to the problematical region. Copious amounts of sand should be used to scrub dead hide away
- The dragon should be thoroughly oiled, paying particular attention to the problematical region.
- Numbweed may be applied at Dragonhealer's discretion if applicable.
- Riding straps will need to be corrected, but if this does not seem to be the problem, the Dragonhealer should start checking couches, etc for stones or lips that might irritate the hide.
Recovery:
Dragon should not between when there is a risk of the dry hide cracking. Once treated, the problem should clear up in a day or two. Riders should be instructed to pay closer attention to their lifemates and their straps. Straps should be inspected daily for wear and tear. If this continues to be a problem, then the rider should think about padding out parts of the straps with strips of suede.
Dragons have two stomachs, one is for food, and the digestion of such, and the other is for firestone and the complex reaction that is necessary in order to generate flame. Early on dragons learn to concentrate on their second stomach when chewing firestone. However, accidents do happen during this important phase of learning, and often chunks of firestone end up in the food stomach. Ingestion of firestone and passage into the correct stomach leads to the chemical reaction, catalyzed by an acid of some sort. The exact nature of this substance is unknown, but reports from dragons during Weyrling training complaining of a burning feeling in their esophagus lead us to surmise that it is an acid of some kind. Once the chemical reaction has been completed in this second stomach, then a number of flammable gases are produced which when belched forth, ignite on contact with air. Flames can be sustained for well over a minute in an experienced dragon, and the range can be altered from around 2 to 6 meters.
There is no secondary digestive tract for the second stomach, unlike the first, which passes to the tail. The firestone, which has been masticated and subsequently digested inside the second stomach to an odorous ash, is not excreted but disgorged. As weyrlings, dragons regurgitate in ashpits near the weyrling barracks, but once between training is underway, dragons will disgorge the contents of their second stomach while between.
Golds do not ingest firestone. Their riders use flamethrowers in threadfall, which have as much variation in range as a dragon. However, it is an old aunties tale to believe that not ingesting firestone is the reason golds are fertile, unlike their gren counterparts. Since gold firelizards ingest firestone, flame and still bear live clutches, it is believed there is something in the genetic makeup of a green dragon that makes her sterile, and not in the firestone. Considering the frequency at which greens rise, this is somewhat of a relief to any weyr. Additionally, no sane weyrwoman would risk the fertility of her gold when there are plenty of fighting dragons in the weyr.
Because dragons have two stomachs it is important to determine the cause of the discomfort. Overeating generally only happens in weyrling dragons. It can, and will, lead to constipation if left unchecked. Additionally, flying with an overfull stomach can lead to sprains and strains. Since dragons eat freshly killed meat, they do not encounter problems that some humans can have with bad meat. The only other problem they may have is regurgitated acid from the second stomach. This burning feeling will be fleeting and often will pass after a swallow or two. When dragons begin to chew firestone, a stomach ache may result from chewing firestone that is a poor grade. Bad firestone can be recognized by an uneven color, holes that vary widely in diameter, as well as tunnels that may go straight through the rock. This is why it is imperative that Weyrlings are taught to sort firestone early on, so that when feeding their lifemates it becomes second nature to give them the right sized chunks, but also of sufficient quality to produce and sustain a good flame. However, in the case of bad firestone, the Weyrleaders need to be informed immediately so that the stores can be checked, and the Minecraft notified.
Assessment:
Ask the rider if the dragon has eaten recently, or if they have digested firestone.
Have they regurgitated Ash?
Determination:
Is the dragon complaining of an ache in their first or second stomach?
If the first stomach, does their stomach look distended?
If the second, is their flame unsustainable and blue?
Treatment:
FIRESTONE: Once eaten, the only remedy for the consumption of bad firestone is letting the dragon cough up the ash. Dragons should not be allowed to head into Threadfall after consuming bad firestone.
OVEREATING: The dragon's eating habits need to be controlled better by their lifemates, especially since overeating can lead to constipation. Dragons should not be allowed to fly, after overeating, in case they strain themselves.
Recovery:
FIRESTONE: The problem should clear once the firestone ash has been regurgitated.
OVEREATING: Full recovery within a day
Dragon talons are similar in nautre to canine claws, and even our own fingernails. They are made of keratin, and grow out from a talon bed, which is situated in the foot pad. Thus, the talon itself has no nerves associated with it, and therefore no feeling until it reaches the point where it grows from the talon bed. There it is nourished with ichor and nerves. However, that's not to the say they cannot feel by association through their taloins, though it is more correct to say that they feel the connection through the talon to the talon bed.
Talon loss becomes quite common when young dragons are learning to fly. However, it remains a risk throughout life, especially in those dragons that are injured or sick, or otherwise impaired. It is then that takeoff and landings can cause a talon to break of, either fully or partially, particularly on hard surfaces such as rock and compacted dirt.
Though not so common, talon loss can also occur in mating flights, whereby talons are lost by fighting males. hunting may also result in the loss of a talon, particularly when the captured beast is of a sufficient weight that a wrong move will wrench the talon from the bed of the foot.
Assessment:
If the dragon is in pain, then ask a gold dragon to "dampen" the pain. Its likely that the pain will be fleeting, with the wrenching occasionally accompanied by nausea, which will then lessen to a throb.The Dragonhealer should ask the rider for details of the injury. If its a mating flight injury, the rider should be given a skin of wine unless the Dragonhealer wants their affctions comeing their way (Not advised until *after* you've dealt with the dragon). Otherwise the rider should only be afected a little, with an uncomfortable feeling predominating.
Determination:
Is there any talon left?
Is the talon hanging at an awkward angle?
Is there dirt associated with the remaining/lost talon?
Is there ichor pooling around the talon bed?
Treatment:
- The area around the talon bed should be cleaned with redwort, especially if infection seems likely. If there's some ichoring, then apply numbweed immediately.
- If the talon is torn, the Dragonhealer should determine whether it would be more fortuitous to remove the complete talon, or remove the damaged portion. If they decide to remove the talon, they should make sure that the talon bed is fully numbed. The talon is mostly dead, this does not need to be numbed, only the bit near the bed is the living tissue.
- The assistance of another dragon may be required to remove the talon, depending on how severe the injury. If it is hanging from the talon bed at a sharp angle, a sterile knife should be used to remove it by severing through as little tissue as possible so as not to damage the talon bed.
- If the talon can be saved, remove the part that is damaged with a sharp knofe. The Drgaonhealer will need to numb the talon bed with numbweed, otherwise the dragon will feel uncomfortable pressue in this area during the procedure.
Recovery:
The talon should eventually grow back, taking between four and eight sevendays to do so. Any injury site will close within a day or two. Occasionally a talon may not grow back if the talon bed is sufficiently damaged. However, this will not impair the dragon in any way, as they will quickly learn to compensate for the missing talon.
Thread is the whole reason dragons were created. It is a parasitic organism somewhat similar to Terran mycorrhiza, carbon-based and omnivorous. Although its exact origins are unknown, it is believed to hail from the Red Star, as the approach of the erratic wandering planet in the sky heralds a Pass of Thread. As it passes through Pern's atmosphere, Thread unfolds into its threatening form: a tangled mass of greyish-silver filaments that devours anything organic in its path. thread can only be killed by flame, extreme cold, or water.
STILL ADDING MORE INFO - WILL BE PUBLISHED AS I FINISH IT