FTW:Month 1
Month 1
Exercise & Dragon Anatomy
As your dragons reach a month old, it may be hard to imagine how little they were only four weeks ago when they first hatched from their eggs. The first month passed by in a rush but there was some structure to it, in small parts. And now you'll find that more structure will start to be introduced into your lives.
The first hint of it will come during the first half of the month, when the WLM-team will sit you all down, very separately, to test you at varying times in Pernese history, Fortian history, the teaching ballads, math, as well as reading and writing. You will be compared and ranked with the rest of your weyrling class, with exam results posted for everyone to see. These results will determine what harper classes you will be taking for the next turn, including whether you will begin taking remedial classes immediately with the harpers.
You will also be evaluated for your fitness level in earnest now, and placed in three physical conditioning groups: Basic, Intermediate, or Advanced. Most weyrlings will fall into the intermediate group, while those with extra training, as guards, for example, will fall into the advanced group and those with fairly sedentary pre-weyrling lives will fall into the basic group. By the end of weyrling training, all weyrlings are expected to have reached a competent level of physical ability for their duties.
During the later half of the month, after evaluations have been complete, you are then thrown into classroom lessons with your first lessons: dragon anatomy. This will be taught and drilled into you daily for the better part of two weeks, with each lesson building on each other. Weyrlings who have already started remedial classes with the harpers might find this overwhelming.
Again this month, you are left with little time to yourselves, and a WLM-team member is always available in the barracks. The only little break that you get is near the middle of the month, when your dragons can finally, finally eat their meat without needing you to cut it.
As a player, we encourage you to bring any problems up with the WLM-team. Feel free to look over the dragon anatomy lesson. This is optional. Make sure to:
- Check out the RP Topics for ideas on what to play for this IC month.
- RP, RP, RP!
RP/Vignette Topics
- Practice throwing and catching sandbags or firestone bags.
- Play "blindman's bluff" and "Simon Says" or similar games in the bowl that require the dragon or rider to provide information to his or her counterpart, strengthening the mental bond.
- First 'whole beast' feedings - pre-killed carcasses provided by older dragons instead of chopped meat from a bucket.
- Other class subjects to RP with WLM-team and fellow weyrlings: learning anatomy of dragons, general etiquette, Weyr history, and harper catchup classes for those weyrlings who need remedial assistance with reading, writing and arithmetic.
- RP or vig about your exam results or how you fit in fitness-wise with the rest of your class.
Milestones
Dragonet
- Dragonets start eating from whole carcasses instead of chopped meat.
- Dragonet sensitivity decreases a little.
- Dragonets are about a quarter of their full size
- Dragonets are able to stay awake for most of the day, stretching out feedings and care to 4-8 hours apart.
Weyrling
- A regular, structured schedule begins to be applied with the weyrling day broken up between morning exercise, morning classes, afternoon classes and free time.
- Morning exercises become more vigorous and in earnest.
- The line between you and your dragon should be more distinct with less dragon/human feeling confusion.
- You may be getting a little more sleep as your dragon stretches out feedings and other needs.
Rules & Restrictions
- There is no uniform required, but weyrlings should wear sturdy work clothes. Those who don't have anything suitable will be provided with cast-offs from Stores.
- Weyrlings may go anywhere inside the Weyr, including the living cavern, hot springs, stores, inner caverns, etc.
- One glass of ale or wine at mealtimes is allowed.
- No intimate contact. No kissing, no making out, no sex.
- Weyrlings must salute all riders. Be respectful towards or salute ranking Crafters and Holders.
Daily Schedule
| 5:00 AM | Wake up, dawn feeding of dragons |
| 6:00 AM | Physical training |
| 8:00 AM | Bathing and oiling of dragons |
| 8:30 AM | Cleanup and breakfast for weyrlings |
| 9:00 AM | Morning lessons with WLM-team |
| 12:30 PM | Lunch for weyrlings |
| 1:00 PM | Lunch for dragons, plus another oiling |
| 2:00 PM | Remedial classes with harpers or free time |
| 4:00 PM | Bonding and preliminary visualization practice |
| 6:00 PM | Dinner and then remedial exercise or free time |
| 9:00 PM | Nighttime feeding and oiling of dragons |
| 10:00 PM | Lights out |
(This is a guideline only to give you an idea of how your day might go.)
