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Weyrs of the Eighth Pass
Owing to the sometimes far ranging plots that have occured in Arolos that have involved the rest of the Weyrs, the northern weyrs have developed their own flavour. Here is a brief overview that might assist you when writing persona histories. Arolos Arolos has a reputation of being the "last chance" weyr for dragonriders who have had been transfered from weyr to weyr. Building work was begun on Arolos before the start of the Eighth Pass as Holds had begun to spring up in the area. It hadn't been completed as such because the Weyrs of the North were confident that they could cover the area when Thread began. They did ... just. It became apparent that the strain was too much and the Weyrs of the North were forced to open Arolos Weyr after hasty development, nearly five Turns into the Eight Pass. The essence of the weyr and it's strength is that it is less hidebound than the northern weyrs. It is dealing with new problems, a new environment than the traditions in the north deal with and as such has earned a dubious reputation of abandoning tried and trusted measures, and being altogether too respectful of Holders and Crafters. Despite this, none of them can deny Arolos' statistics for flying Fall are high on the survival rate and success rate. It's reputation has been established over time and in certain areas has grudging respect - and in others has engender hatred! Benden Benden has been established in this timeline as a by the book Weyr. In the draconic plague, the previous by the book leadership fell prey to the disease and were replaced by Fort riders. How this will sway the weyr is yet to be seen - it might still stick to its tough but fair approach, ot it might be swayed by Fort ideals. Benden is characteristed as being solid, dependable with a penchant for justice over tradition if it comes to that - though tradition and respect is high on their list of priorities. Fort Fort Weyr in this Arolos Timeline is particularly noticeable as it embodies the worst traits in dragonriders. Colour ranking is rife, and there is an encouraged intolerance to what is considered "perverted" behaviour. It is overcrowded and very conscious that it is the unspoken leader of the weyrs and has an implicit belief that its views are very obviously correct. Greenriders and blueriders will have had it rough here, whereas brown, bronze and goldriders expect and receive immediate deference. In the investigation into Arolos' leadership when two Fort wings transfered in to cover for the fatalities in the sabotaged Fall, the culture shock on both sides was immense! Fort is not one of Arolos' allies and not likely to be for some time as they are at opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of approach exploiting tradition. High Reaches Once High Reaches was definitely counted as a rival of Arolos and an ally of Fort. However, due to a powerplay that went terribly awry following a crippling draconic plague, a young ambitious weyrwoman there called Jerasi ended up in a confrontation with Kassia of Arolos. She was killed while attacking the Arolosian goldrider leaving High Reaches without a Queen. Wygelle who was then weyrwoman of Arolos, had flown to help resolve the situation only to have her dragon Ormanth rise in reaction to an unclaimed weyr. In doing so she became Weyrwoman there and Kassia became Weyrwoman at Arolos. The longstanding grudge against Arolos dating back to an attempt by R'tal to get one of a previous Weyrwoman's favourites punished, leading to an abortive attempt to frame him, which nearly became a murder attempt. With any luck, with an ex-Arolosian in charge, things may improve between the two weyrs. Igen Igen is relatively neutral Weyr with regard to Arolos. So far, they have failed to take a decisive stance on either side. Currently they have a new Weyrwoman and Weyrleader following the plague and they are more concerned with internal issues without getting involved in any other weyr's business. As a weyr they are more relaxed than Fort and High Reaches, and even Telgar, but still find some of the liberal action from Arolos disconcerting Ista Ista Weyr has proven to be the greatest friend to Arolos, largely due to the influence of their late beloved Weyrwoman, Sytria. She was very well respected, as several of the other senior weyrwomen were her juniors at one time. She was fair, compassionate yet she could not be cowed by pressure. In the Conclave that cleared Arolos and denounced Jesa, she headed the defence, but unfortunately the strain was too much and she died of a stroke just as she was leaving Arolos. Eilid had some large shoes to fill and struggled to find her feet but has now matured into one of the more sensible and stable of the Weyrwomen. . Telgar Telgar Weyr is one of the most impartial of the weyrs, by deliberate design. Whilse not as liberal as Ista or Igen -or Arolos of course, they also disapprove of Fort and High Reaches and regard Benden somewhat niaive. Weyrleader H'gan is a shrewd man and works well with Lasia (one of Sytria's original Juniors and one of the strongest of the Weyrwomen left). He understands the politicking that goes on all to well and never assumes one side or the other is telling the truth. With his own rather headstrong daughter, Alissa, a greenrider it has ensured that green and blueriders are entitled to some respect, though it is still rare to find them in ranking positions, and certainly there is no prejudice or perception of perversion like there is in Fort. Telgar's main problem is that their opinion historically has not counted for much in Conclave, owing to the overly remembered disgrace at their Weyr in Moreta's time. If H'gan sometimes is a bit terse it is because he frequently feels he has to work twice as hard to make the same impression on people and he regards that as unfair. Though Telgar have stood with Arolos on occassion it is made obvious it is on an incident by incident basis only, and they will as easily stand against them if the evidence points that way. All references to worlds and characters based on Anne McCaffrey's fiction are copyright© Anne McCaffrey 1967,2005, all rights reserved, and used by permission of the author. The Dragonriders of Pern® is registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, by Anne McCaffrey, used here with permission. Use or reproduction without a license is strictly prohibited. |