VARIOUS RIDER DUTIES

Dragonriders - In Character (IC)
The most basic duties that any Rider must execute are feeding, bathing, and oiling his lifemate. Adult dragons tend to feed once every three to seven days, carrying off a number of wherries or a herdbeast on each occasion (food consumption varies with dragon size). Most often the meat is culled from Weyr pens, but Riders have been known to take (or send) their dragons hunting when the situation seems favorable for it. Bathing and oiling are similarly frequent chores, each holding the potential to encompass many hours of time depending again on the size of the dragon. The scrubbing involved in bathing a dragon may be accomplished by employing sediment from any fresh body of water (most often, and logically, from the place where the bathing is going on), but oils must be prepared rather than discovered, and most Riders keep a number of jars on hand in their weyrs.
Dragonriders must fly 'sweeps' or patrol. This serves several purposes. It provides a duty for Wings and the individual pairs outside of combat. It provides a Weyr presence at the Hold; it allows the Weyr to make sure the Hold is doing its part to guard against Thread. It is a service for the Holder and a link between the Hold and Weyr, and it allows the Rider to scan the lands around the Hold and the lands on the way for Thread hits. Riders also keep a lookout for Threadfall, though all falls are normally predicted by the Threadfall Charts.

Riders may fly sweeps in pairs or trios if desired, and even Wings if arranged for ahead of time; they should rendezvous with the rider(s) taking up sweep of that area before they return to the Weyr, to pass on any information of particular notice. Riders on sweep should keep watch out for any incidents outside the routine for that area: weather, expected or unexpected Threadfall, people outside in close advance to a Threadfall, holdless movements, any unusual or unexpected happenings. Furthermore, riders should check in with the sweep area's hold(s) and crafthalls to see how conditions are there, and pass on any news of incipient weather or Threadfall. This information should be reported to the rider's Wingleader upon return to Fort, and the Wingleader would pass on the news to the Weyrleader in turn.

Dragonriders must fight Thread. They must follow orders from their Wingleaders and be well-trained and disciplined in their Wings. They must understand the various wing formations and the methods by which a pair can fight Thread. Usually, the penalty for not fully understanding any of this is a grim one; many young pairs get severely scored at an early age.

As preparation for this, riders take part in drills to ready themselves and keep themselves and their dragons fit for Threadfall. Drills can start out on an individual level, usually in trios where a green and a blue (or two greens, or two blues) pair with a bronze or a brown to practice various maneuvers as a unit. Drills work there way up from there to Wings, where such is organized by the Wingleader and Wingseconds, and then to Flights, organized by the Weyrleader and Weyrseconds.

Dragonriders must be self-sufficient to a certain point. Riders make their own riding leathers and clothing, most usually make their own furniture and brew and age their own ales and liquors, obtaining the necessary raw materials from the appropriate Crafter or from the Headwoman. They craft their own riding straps and gear, and clean out and tend to their weyrs. It's not surprising that Riders don't often find time to raise their own children or have 'hobbies' outside of dragon-centered activities. Riders who have children find it most convenient to foster them, often within the Weyr. Riders who get pregnant will be shifted to the Queen's Wing during the second trimester, and grounded for the third.

Riders are not paid money by the Weyr for their services; they are instead provided with needed clothing for personal wear and flight, housing, basic furnishings, food, and whatever materials are needed for the upkeep of their dragon. Riders who wish the extra mark for purchasing luxury items from individuals and at Gathers would need to earn those marks by the exchange of personal services and skills.


Dragonriders - Out of Character (OOC):
(Please note this is all suggested and meant to help define the activities of a dragonrider player. As this is a game, nobody is 'obligated' to do any of these things. However, it's preferred if players attempt to do these things naturally while on-game.)

Dragonrider players should be versed in the various wing formations. You might find it useful to befamiliar with the terms therein.

Players of dragonriders should also be familiar with many of the concepts outlined in this document, as well as basic dragon anatomy and healing (which is not covered here, but please feel free to contact your senior dragonhealer to learn more). OOCly, riders' players should attempt to follow the IC strictures of a dragonrider, in order to portray as realistic a picture as possible to the rest of the MUSH, though this does not in any way mean we suggest that you should reduce your character to a stereotype. Quite the opposite: individuality will impress upon others a stronger example than a bland archetype. An entire MUSH of F'lars and Lessas would bore anyone to tears!

Dragonrider players should attempt to keep the OOC Weyrleadership aware if they plan on going idle for long periods of time. Transfers in and out of Fort are granted for extenuating reasons. We'd prefer if transfers were kept to a minimum; they are not IC, and often hard to justify.

Rider players, like all other players at Fort, are encouraged and able to stage TPs or events for the Weyr or groups at it anytime; do please let the Weyrleadership know before hand. There are always several unclaimed plots waiting in the wings for staging, so interest in organizing a TPdoes not have to be stymied by a dearth of ideas.

Rider players, like all other players at Fort, are encouraged and able to stage TPs or events for the Weyr or groups at it anytime; do please let the Weyrleadership know beforehand. There are always several unclaimed plots waiting in the wings for staging, so interest in organizing a TP does not have to be stymied by a dearth of ideas.

Riders should try to hold/participate in mating flights as often as they are able to. Players should also try to participate in Wing activities if they fit in RL schedules, including Weyr threadfalls. Additional information pertinent to playing a rider at Fort is available via the +lhelp files.

By far, the two most important OOC duties a Rider might have on game are the RPing of 'sweeps' duties, and keeping up to date on IC Threadfall. Rider players should attempt to do sweeps; they attract RP outside of the Weyrs and into the holds, and it provides the players with new RP opportunities. Generally, we recommend that each Rider try to RP sweeps at least once a RL week. Even if it's ten minutes spent in an empty courtyard, it's better than ten minutes spent idle in the living caverns.

WEYRLINGMASTERS AND ASSISTANT WEYRLINGMASTERS - IC
Weyrlingmasters are the trainers of new riding pairs. They must prepare the new pairs for everything outlined in the "Dragonrider" section of this text. They do not serve in any one Wing, as there is inevitably always a class to be taught, RPed or no.

Assistant Weyrlingmasters have duties assigned to them by the WLM; it can vary by WLM. Usually it includes duties such as flight/between training, discipline, crafting, and lectures.

The Weyrlingmaster reports to the Weyrleader and Weyrwoman, and keeps them updated as to the progress of his/her charges.


WEYRLINGMASTERS AND ASSISTANT WEYRLINGMASTERS -OOC
WLMs are expected to get the new pairs up to speed in Rping dragonriders. They're expected to deliver a series of lectures (by PM or in roleplay) to train them IC and OOC. WLMs decide OOC when they feel a riding pair is up to speed and can graduate, both OOC and IC, into the wings. They notify the Weyrleaders and Wingleaders during this time. There is usually a set schedule for Weyrlings that lasts six to nine weeks. The schedule is developed by the WLM with participation from the AWLMs and the WL and WW.

WLMs are expected to get the Barracks ready for new pairs, to help the new riders' players with code and good coding practice, and to teach proper etiquette and use of the DTU's. WLMs are also expected to stress the importance of IC behaviour to the W'lings, and teach them how to properly RP a dragonrider and dragon, both. This is done with lectures and regularly (weekly or more) scheduled meetings and training periods for RP and instruction. The greatest OOC demand on a WLM and AWLM is the time commitment, although the preparations, code, and lectures are not far behind. For six to nine weeks, the WLM crew is expected to take a very active part in the training and instruction of these new dragonrider players.

AWLMs are expected to aid the WLM in all of the above and whatever else the WLM asks him/her to do.

WEYRLEADER - IC
The Weyrleader has many duties which focus around overseeing the fighting wings and the fighting of Thread. The Weyrleader can be thought of like a Commander in Chief of a military organization. His duties include (but are often not limited to):
Delegation: The WL appoints the Weyrlingmaster, Weyrsecond, and the Wingleaders under his command.

Discipline: One of the WL's duties is to make sure all of the wings, including the Weyrling wing, are being properly trained. He gets regular Wing training reports from the Wingleaders. If any of his immediate 'staff' are not functioning to his liking, it is the Weyrleader's right to appoint another. The Weyrleader also arbitrates disputes between his staff members.

Care and Upkeep: The Weyrleader is responsible for making sure that the dragons in the Weyr are well cared-for, and the pairs are functioning at an optimal level.

Threadfall: The Weyrleader appoints Flight Leaders, and arranges the Wings into the Flights before the Fall. He makes sure, through his Wingleaders, that the riders at the Weyr are Fall prepared. He may or may not lead his own PC wing, but he may be Flight Leader more often than not.

Holds and Crafts: He makes sure that the Holds and Crafts in the area are following their parts in keeping their areas safe from Thread (extraneous-greenery-free, working Fireheights, etc.). This includes getting Sweeps reports from the Wingleaders regularly. The WL and WW are also ambassadors, of a sort, to the Holds and Crafts for the Weyr.

Wings: The WL orders the wings. The WL can choose to keep the wing order the same or re-order them after he becomes Weyrleader. It's the Weyrleader's job to respond to his Wingleaders' needs for new riders or anything else the Weyr's wings need. The WL makes sure each Wing is trained and ready to function within a Flight.


WEYRLEADER - OOC
The Weyrleader is 1/2 of the OOC administration at the Weyr. This includes but is not limited to RP and TP organization for the Weyr, scheduling on-camera threadfalls with the Wingleaders, selecting players and riders to become Wingleaders, W2s, and WLMs, keeping High Reaches Weyr up and organized with code and upkeep of the Weyr environment, selecting new riders out of a Candidate pool, organizing Search and Hatchings, attending Weyr Council meetings, RPing his part visibly at High Reaches Weyr, and keeping the wings active by encouraging wing activities and the like.

Other activities vary by the Weyrleader. It can be seen it's a time-intensive position; the Weyrleader is expected to shoulder his IC and OOC responsibilities after winning the leadership flight at High Reaches Weyr. Essentially, all OOC duties associated with his IC activities are expected from him.

WEYRWOMAN - IC
She cares for the Residents, the children, and the staff of High Reaches Weyr. She watches over the tithes, the stores, and the upkeep of the Weyr as a whole. She has many duties to her golden lifemate, including preparing for all aspects of mating, clutching, and hatching. She is responsible for the well-being and upkeep of the human population of the Weyr, mediating all disputes (except those of honor). She's responsible for the training, fostering, and disposition of the Weyr's children and lower caverns personnel, including Candidates, and oversees the training of the weyrlings along with the Weyrleader.

The Weyrwoman leads the Queen Wing in Threadfall, essentially acting as its 'Wingleader'. Anything revolving around any support of the rider population falls into her jurisdiction, including firestone stores, accounting, daily meals and the like. Together with the Weyrleader, she oversees the training of the weyrlings. The Headwoman reports to the Weyrwoman on the state of the Lower Caverns. The Stewards report to the Weyrwoman on the state of the Weyr's supplies.


WEYRWOMAN - OOC
The Weyrwoman has the duties of RP, OOC Weyr code/building upkeep, and the coordination of Clutching/Hatching activities: she facilitates the set-up at the Weyr both IC and OOC for the benefit of High Reach's players. She must attend Weyr Council Meetings, and keep in touch with other Weyrs on-game to help foster RP between the Weyrs.

The Weyrwoman can appoint Lower Caverns staff, OOC and IC, and appoints the WL OOCly. The WW should keep up to date on crafters at the Weyr, and should encourage new players to live and contribute at the Weyr to enrich the RP environment. The Weyrwoman should attempt to hold regular Weyr meetings where people can talk about things that concern them.