Joining

Adoptables

Weyrling Training

Candidate Training

Clutch Charts

Timeline

Requirements

Ninth Pass

Candidate Training

Candidates who come to Wavecrest aren't allowed to sit around twiddling their thumbs.  They don't train nearly as hard as they will when they are weyrlings, but they must take lessons, and do some chores to earn their keep.  (The pleasure of cleaning latrines is usually left to the weyrlings, however.)  Often, candidates arrive too late to train, as the Hatching could occur in days, or even hours.  Those that arrive early enough begin their training in the basics. As often as not, candidates arrive unable to read or write, so if time permits, they learn the rudiments of both.

The hatching grounds are near the Weyrling Barracks, in an ingenious building with an open end that allows the queens and other dragons to land outside and walk into the building.  This is also located relatively near the feeding grounds, so egg-heavy queens do not have to fly or walk far to feed themselves, although there is rarely a shortage of bronze willing to hunt for their queen. 

The most important of their lessons is what to expect on the Hatching Grounds. Unprepared candidates can be injured seriously, or even run in fear as dragonets hatch.  They must know what comes upon Impression, and what to do with newly Hatched dragons.  They are also instructed in the ways of the Weyr, and what their options are if they do not Impress. 

Pre-Impression training includes:

• Basic reading and writing
• Weyr structure and ranking system
• Weyr layout
• Hatching Ground etiquette
• What to expect on the Hatching Grounds
• Impression
• Feeding a young dragon after Impression
• Stay or go: What to do if you don't impress

All candidates enter the Hatching Grounds regularly to touch and see the eggs, and meet the queen that laid them.  The amount of time spent on the ground before the Hatching depends on the queen.  Some do not care for strangers around their clutches.  Some of the candidates choose an egg to be "theirs" at this time, and spend more time with it, but this rarely has any effect on Impression.  The older riders smile, and allow them to select "their" egg. It reduced fear and probability of injuries at the Hatching. 

In spite of all the training the weyr gives candidates, some accidents are inevitable.  Healers are always on hand to treat candidates who are accidentally mauled or gored by dragonets.  Healers must act quickly, or a candidate may be left standing.  The main concern is to ensure that the injury isn't life threatening.  If it can wait until after the Hatching, the Healers will send the candidate right back. 

When a candidate impresses, the first thing their dragonet will tell them is they are hungry.  Meat has already been prepared, and is waiting on the sidelines for new weyrlings and their dragons.  This is the only time the weyrlings will have meat provided for them. After this, they will butcher their own meat.

Weyrlings and their dragonets are led from the Hatching grounds to the Weyrling Barracks, where they are shown to a bunk and stay with their dragonets until they fall asleep. Soon after eating, the exhausted dragon will fall asleep. At this time, the new weyrlings are allowed to go to the Hatching Feast, but they are not required.  Many are just as tired as their dragonets, and opt to stay and rest on their bunks or even laying against their new lifemates.

Weyrling Training

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