Post by Neeq Machine on Feb 16, 2011 23:46:23 GMT -5
The People of Pern
Last updated: 15 Feb 2011
Last updated: 15 Feb 2011
Weyrs
Benden Weyr[/size]
People:
Weyrbred: Benden Weyr has a rather wide variety of people. Weyrbred tend not to look like the average dragonrider: relatively strong builds, not too tall, with brown hair kept close-cut or long and braided. Dark hair and blue eyes are considered particularly attractive.
Searched: Benden Weyr does not conduct Searches on any regular basis. Nearly all Candidates are weyrbred. Ruatha Hold is occasionally Searched, as are runner stations.
Dragons:
Dam: Gold Wanyimneuth
Wanyimneuth is an older gold, who is in her genealogy a direct descendant of Faranth. She is a bright, clear red-gold with striking rose markings. At 37 feet, she is an average sized gold. Her build is extremely slim and graceful, with a very equine muzzle and delicate features.
Sires: Brown Flementh, brown Jierdenath, brown Gelminorth, bronze Istarrenth, brown Sineth, several other dragons in the further past.
Wanyimneuth’s children often take after her in build. Markings, particularly reddish ones in bronze and brown dragons, are quite common in her offspring, as are vivid base tones. Due to her varied choice in males – though about 80/20 brown to bronze throughout her lifetime – the Benden dragons are relatively variable, though heavily biased toward the lower chromatics.
Environment: Benden Weyr is far from glorious. Rather, it is a grubby little place with perhaps 70 to 80 dragons. The Weyr does its best not to bother anybody anywhere. Wing drills are few and far between, and any attempt at conducting dangerous maneuvers or of overturning the status quo is punished, usually by the queen’s Command of grounding. Alcoholism is relatively common among the riders, and “loose morals” (to a point) are all but encouraged. Most dragonriders serve little purpose but to transport the expensive wines which Benden Weyr producers.
Fort Weyr[/size]
People:
Weyrbred: Fort Weyr runs towards dark brown hair and brown or hazel eyes, with fairer hair and eyes not uncommon. Most weyrbred run to moderate height, with a propensity for rather more voluptuous women and stockier men.
Search: Fort Weyr does not Search. However, young people are “tithed” from Fort Hold as Candidates.
Dragons (pre-1248):
Dam: Gold Hinjerath
Now deceased, Hinjerath was a small (albeit powerful) gold. Measuring in at 33 feet, Hinjerath was built like a brick wall, without any delicacy to speak of. Dark gold, a color often referred to as muddy, Hinjerath was never pretty.
Sire: Bronze Hijestenerth (her brother)
Larger than Hinjerath, at 34 feet, Hijestenerth was still a smallish bronze. Almost olive in color, Hijestenerth lacked almost any metallic coloration at all. He was something of an ugly beast, with mottled markings and a slight underbite that made his heavy head look heavier still.
Hinjerath never mated with another bronze save for Hijestenerth. Her children were usually dark, muddy colors, with a lot of olive and grey in them. Fortian dragons thus tended to be rather ugly brutes, dark and built powerfully rather than prettily. Size is not their forte, but with their musculature, Fortian dragons tended to be endurance powerhouses anyhow.
Dragons (post-1256)
Dam: Gold Itwasath
Itwasath is very small (at 30 feet 7 inches, the smallest gold in recent memory) and an awkward mustard color. She is mentally quite simple and hates any dragons larger than her. She often commands blues and greens to Chase her. She is plump and rarely exercises, giving her a soft and plushy appearance.
Sires: Blue Kesmaroth, blue Rinatorth
Given that Itwasath only has ever Chosen blues, her offspring would be only blue and green. It is presumed that they would follow the trends of her mother, being small, powerful, and muddy tones.
Environment: Fort Weyr has very little of a “Weyr” feel to it. Instead, the Weyr runs almost exactly like a Hold, with a close trade relationship to Fort Hold. The Weyrleader of Fort Weyr, Sk’oner of bronze Llionth, is the second son of the Lord Holder of Fort Hold. Status is relatively traditional, as far as dragon-rank goes, but bloodlines are also extremely important. Many dragonriders work in the surrounding area and command cotholds of their own. The Weyr is perhaps 70 strong. The queenrider is a former drudge with mental and physical retardation, and has no power, though her (similarly simple) gold often uses her Command in much the same way as a two-Turn-old would. Homosexual behavior is frowned upon; Itwasath’s habit of forcing greens to Chase her has coined the cruel term “twast” for a lesbian. Firestone training has been banned since the death of the former goldpair and Weyrleader pair; Wing drills are almost nonexistent and done mostly as shows for Gathers. Clothing is often elaborately symbolic; weyrlings and Candidates have required uniforms.
High Reaches Weyr[/size]
People:
Weyrbred: High Reaches weyrbred tend to be tall and pale-skinned. Black hair is quite common, though chestnut hair and blond hair is also a relatively common sight among the weyrbred. Dark eyes are the norm, though grey is relatively common. Green and hazel eyes are all but unheard of. Huskier builds are most common, and slender people are often regarded as unhealthy and in need of fattening.
Search: High Reaches Weyr occasionally Searches High Reaches Hold, Crom, and Nabol Holds and the surrounding area, particularly minecrafters.
Dragons (pre-1237):
Dam: Gold Neltioth
One of the more stunning dragons of the Interval, Neltioth measured in at 38 feet. Lithe and capable in the sky, Neltioth was impressive in her grace and carriage. Pale, and with markings some swore were pure white, she was impossible to miss and quite a beautiful creature to view. Her talons, unusually, were true black, as were her fangs, by some quirk of genetics.
Sires: Bronze Hetjiath, bronze Gimalth, brown Zinerth
Though not “wayward,” Neltioth did Choose three different dragons throughout her lifetime, often returning to one or the other. Her offspring tended to be paler than the norm, though some were quite bright and others very dark. To a very few, she passed on her black fangs and talons. Unusually, her Clutches were tilted towards the metallic; she even laid a bronze by Zinerth. However, she never Clutched a queen that survived more than a Turn.
Dragons (post-1256):
Dam: Gold Oolarnth
Oolarnth looks strikingly like her dam, Hrrvath of Ista Weyr. Vivid gold, with prominent cheekbones and wingbones, Oolarnth looks sculpted of the metal she is named after. Her light mottled markings hail from her sire, bronze Kelioth, while the darker streaks and mottles come from her dam. She is an average-sized gold, just under 37 feet in length.
Sires: Bronze Hetjiath
Environment: High Reaches Weyr disbanded shortly after the death of Neltioth, consolidating with Ista Weyr, but was refounded in 1252 by the Istan gold Oolarnth and most of the former High Reaches riders. Many of the Istan cultural habits (though not the attitude) have transferred to High Reaches, though weather differences have prevented some (such as the love of swimming). Overall, the climate of High Reaches Weyr is relatively relaxed and close-knit. Dragons often work as dray beasts, transporting stone and mine slag to final destinations. High Reaches Weyr is around 40 strong. Temporary (and actual) tattoos using vegetable and mineral inks are relatively common, though henna tattooing is far more common.
Igen Weyr[/size]
People:
Weyrbred: Igen weyrbred tend to be fair-skinned, with light brown or dirty blond hair, though darker colorations are not uncommon. Freckles are a common affliction, as is red hair. Igen weyrbred tend to be taller and built wiry, instead of bulky.
Search: Igen Weyr still Searches from across Pern, but favors the Keroonian plains and Southern Boll. Most Search is done in lower populated areas, and Traders, caravaners, and nomadic herdfolk are not uncommon sights in Candidate pools.
Dragons:
Dams: Gold Archtyth and gold Glemenith
Archtyth and Glemenith are half-sisters, by the same sire. Archtyth takes after her dam – built large, at nearly 40 feet, with a heavy wedge-shaped head, short neck, and a truly massive wingspan of 49 feet, Archtyth is not a gold who can be accused of delicacy. Her coloration is dark and burnished, with a high metallic content and a dark blaze/list. Glemenith takes after her dam, coming in at 37 feet, with a long, arched neck and more delicate features than her half-sister. Like Archtyth, Glemenith has a darker blaze/list running down her whole spine, though she also has a saddle marking fading into dapples on her goldenrod form.
Sires (Archtyth): Bronze Nespath
Sires (Glemenith): Bronze Leyryth, bronze Dannserith, brown Kijmonath, bronze Pintonerath, other bronzes in the further past.
Igen dragons generally hail to either Archtyth or Glemenith. Archtyth is infamously loyal to her mate Nespath, which is part of the reason that she is the leading gold – stability. Her children tend to be large, with impressive wingspans and low agility, as well as heavy features, which both she and her mate share. Colorations tend to be dark but pure, with blazes, lists, and striping common markings. Glemenith is almost completely wayward in her mate choice, rarely choosing a dragon more than once. Bronzes from other Weyrs often come and compete for her affections, knowing they’ll need not remain at Igen Weyr should they win. Her offspring are thus quite variable, though many tend to have the blaze/list marking she and her half-sister both bear.
Environment: Igen is the largest and most stable Weyr on mainland Pern. Boasting over 120 dragons, Igen is the closest to a traditional Weyr that someone could find. Though they are still held in lower regard, they are self-sufficient for the most part, protecting vast tracts of land near the Weyr on which they grow their own crops and raise beasts to feed the dragons. An unnamed “Hold” across the river serves as a Weyr outpost where a small set of dragonriders live and work. Igen riders train to fight Holdless and highwaymen, and also act as a police-for-hire force. The Weyrleaders, Laurellay of gold Archtyth and Tur’ran of bronze Nespath, are often regarded as being nearly Lord and Lady Holders in rank. They are wed and have children of their own, and are regarded as perhaps the only morally acceptable Weyrleading pair by the Holders. Igen dragonriders are generally crafters and laborers of some sort, unless they are part of the mercenary group.
Ista Weyr[/size]
People:
Weyrbred: Istan weyrbreds tend to be dark-skinned, ranging from swarthy to brown, with dark brown or black hair and dark eyes. However, light-colored eyes are not uncommon; however, light hair, particularly blond, is.
Search: Istan Searchriders rarely stray out of the Istan islands, though the occasional Search on the Istan peninsula or minor fishing holds occurs.
Dragons:
Dam: Gold Hrrvath
Hrrvath is a magnificent creature. At 36 feet in length, Hrrvath is on the small side of average for a gold. She is classic gold, and looks almost to be beaten out of the metal, with very little smoothness to her form. She is quite striking, with very prominent bone structure. She has subtle markings in a slightly darker shade than her hide, mostly mottles and small streaks. A few pale dots mark the membrane of her left wing.
Sires: Bronze Jeskatoth, bronze Trilliaenth, bronze Kelioth, bronze Dannserith
Hrrvath has only ever Chosen from the same set of four bronzes, none of whom are directly related to her. She rarely Clutches bronzes; her Clutch statistics are actually biased in the favor of golds instead of bronzes. The vast majority of her offspring are chromatic, and tend to be vibrant in coloration. Prominent bone structure is common, though not usually as strongly displayed as she bears it. Her dragons are generally average or small, though Dannserith is quite a large bronze and tends to sire larger dragons. Agility is a common attribute; endurance, less so.
Dam (post-?) Gold Xezpheth
Xezpheth does not look much like her dam, instead favoring her sire Trilliaenth. A direct descendent of Neltioth through her sire, Xezpheth hearkens back to that queen. She is a gorgeous pale gold, though not nearly as pale as Neltioth, and bears that dead queen’s most unusual marking: black fangs and black talons. She measures in at 37 feet, 6 inches and has her dam’s prominent bone structure, with hollow cheeks and heavy ridging on her back.
Environment: Ista is… prolific. While Igen Weyr is large, it is insular, not bothering with many of the other Weyrs on Pern. Ista Weyr, however, keeps in contact with the other Weyrs and has ambassadors living in most other Weyrs. Productivity is encouraged, but Ista Weyr is slow-paced and calm. The Weyr is integrated with the people of the Istan islands. Dragonriders serve as transportation for goods and also as a general coast guard, occasionally fighting pirates and flying sweeps over the ocean. Ista’s relationships with the other Weyrs has given opportunity to Hrrvath’s gold children to rise in rank without her death. However, the Weyr is jealous of its metallics and almost never allows bronzes to transfer. Wilailian of gold Xezpheth intends to transfer to Fort Weyr to assume the position of Weyrwoman, but has been forbidden to leave Ista Weyr by the Weyrleaders until Hrrvath or Xezpheth Clutches another gold dragon to ensure succession at Ista. Only cursory training is allowed at the Weyr; Ista is far more interested in profit than Thread.
Telgar Weyr[/size]
People:
Weyrbred: Telgar weyrbred tend to be small, with dark hair, dark eyes, and lighter skin. Their features are generally flatter, with wider cheeks and almond-shaped eyes. Politeness is highly valued. Green eyes are uncommon, but considered quite attractive. Long hair is common.
Search: Telgar has a good relationship with several of the wher stables in the area, and pools Candidates with them. Occasionally they purchase indentured servants from Lemos. They rarely, if ever, Search.
Dragons:
Dam (one Clutch, 1249): Gold Ssath
Ssath was born blind, but capable of Impression. She is quite large, at 40 feet in length, but not very muscled due to be grounded for life. She is light in her base color and heavily marked in a variety of shades. Aside from her size and blindness, she is unremarkable in form and in general a standard dragon.
Sire: Bronze Izterth
Since she is blind, Ssath is incapable of unassisted Flight and was guided on her one Rise by a now-deceased HAD. The 9 dragons from Ssath’s one Clutch take after her in size and markings, but also tend to bear Izterth’s much darker coloration, tending towards olive and muddier colors. A few were lighter in coloration, taking after their dam.
Dam (post-1252): Gold Beaumantoth
If Ssath is large, Beaumantoth is a giantess. At 42 feet, she is absolutely the largest dragon on Pern. Built powerfully and a gold so dark as to be stained teak, she is impressive to behold. Her markings are dapples, both darker and lighter, though she also bears a brilliantly gold blaze which also marks the front of her lower jaw.
Sires: Bronze Durrith, bronze Kijmonath
Beaumantoth’s children tend to be large, dark, and heavily marked. Her bone structure – heavy and solid – is a common theme in her children, though of course there is variance. So far, Beaumantoth has proven herself to be wayward in her two Rises, so it is likely that her offspring will be variable through the Turns as she Chooses different sires.
Environment: Telgar is rigid and harsh. They are withdrawn from the Holds for the most part, but have a close relationship with several of the wher stables that provide the mines with wherhandlers, and often pool Candidates from the Weyr with stable Candidates, both for dragon and wher Clutches. When they are low on youths, they will purchase the bonds of indentured servants in nearby Lemos Hold. They work mostly in transportation and stone masonry, but also have a rather famous quickal distillery and a harsh, inexpensive wine. Formal challenges and duels are relatively common, and honor is of high value here. All but the most cursory of training is banned at Telgar Weyr; their energy is directed towards labor, not ancient and useless skills.
