The Weyr and Being a Rider
Aug 22, 2013 21:28:24 GMT
Post by Master of the Bazaar on Aug 22, 2013 21:28:24 GMT
The Weyr is a Weyr in name only. It no longer has the tried and true mountain home of Igen or a Weyrleader. The wingriders that call it home no longer fly to fight thread. Instead, they serve the masters.
The Weyr is, officially, the police force of the Neath. In practice, they're the thugs of the Masters. They're the law of the land and anyone who doesn't do what they say may just wake up to find a wher at their door or a dragonrider hauling off their belongings. It doesn't matter that dragons can't hurt humans. There's plenty of ways to apprehend a 'criminal' without harming them.
The part of the Weyr most people see is the grand building in the main square. It's lavishly decorated, full of all the luxuries a man could dream of, and the largest cage a dragon could come to. Most citizens never see the inside of it unless they come in on the arm of a rider. Even then, the riders don't like it when people snoop through their things. There are many rumors about secret entrances, but those are surely just rumors.
Even if they were true someone would have to be mad to try to go into the heart of the riders lair.
A more easily accessed area of the Weyr is the sands at the heart of Igen. These are carefully guarded by the Bazaar and one must be a rider or a candidate to ever set foot there. It is here that the dragons of the Weyr lay their eggs and here that Impressions are made. However, there are viewing areas where the public can watch the eggs hatch. Hatchings are very popular, and the entire hold tends to buzz with excitement when there are eggs on the sands. Which is quite often.
Dragon candidacy is a tricky business. All dragons in Igen officially belong to the bazaar, even if they have managed to find employment outside of the 'dragon corps', as it is often called. It is simple enough to be checked over by a dragon and to fill out some forms and be accepted. For some people, the dragon may not find them acceptable. That is where bribes and other such unpleasantries become necessary.
There are also rumors of some people being forced onto the sands when the bazaar is particularly hard up for enforcers. Simply rumors, of course.
Upon Impression, all riders are required to serve a mandatory turn as an enforcer. Payment for their education and the dragon, of course. Many end up spending much more time on the force despite seeming to hate it. The benefits are very good. Feeding a dragon is expensive, after all. Quite a few riders are forced out of retirement by the costs of feeding their dragon.
Those with clutching dragons unfortunately find themselves having to give the eggs over the Weyr. There's no other place for the eggs to be reared then the hatching sand, and that means Weyr candidates. It's a shame, but it's better than losing the dragonets.
At the top of the Enforcer ranks are the Captains. Appointed by the Masters themselves, these two are the best of the dragonriders and wherhandlers. They supervise the Wings and squads. They act as generals of sorts for the Masters.
The Weyr does have a Weyrwoman, but no one speaks of her. She and her gold are guarded by the Bazaar. No one has seen the Weyrwoman for turns, but sometimes her gold goes for flights around the neath with a few bronzes and reds for guards.
The Weyr is, officially, the police force of the Neath. In practice, they're the thugs of the Masters. They're the law of the land and anyone who doesn't do what they say may just wake up to find a wher at their door or a dragonrider hauling off their belongings. It doesn't matter that dragons can't hurt humans. There's plenty of ways to apprehend a 'criminal' without harming them.
The part of the Weyr most people see is the grand building in the main square. It's lavishly decorated, full of all the luxuries a man could dream of, and the largest cage a dragon could come to. Most citizens never see the inside of it unless they come in on the arm of a rider. Even then, the riders don't like it when people snoop through their things. There are many rumors about secret entrances, but those are surely just rumors.
Even if they were true someone would have to be mad to try to go into the heart of the riders lair.
A more easily accessed area of the Weyr is the sands at the heart of Igen. These are carefully guarded by the Bazaar and one must be a rider or a candidate to ever set foot there. It is here that the dragons of the Weyr lay their eggs and here that Impressions are made. However, there are viewing areas where the public can watch the eggs hatch. Hatchings are very popular, and the entire hold tends to buzz with excitement when there are eggs on the sands. Which is quite often.
Dragon candidacy is a tricky business. All dragons in Igen officially belong to the bazaar, even if they have managed to find employment outside of the 'dragon corps', as it is often called. It is simple enough to be checked over by a dragon and to fill out some forms and be accepted. For some people, the dragon may not find them acceptable. That is where bribes and other such unpleasantries become necessary.
There are also rumors of some people being forced onto the sands when the bazaar is particularly hard up for enforcers. Simply rumors, of course.
Upon Impression, all riders are required to serve a mandatory turn as an enforcer. Payment for their education and the dragon, of course. Many end up spending much more time on the force despite seeming to hate it. The benefits are very good. Feeding a dragon is expensive, after all. Quite a few riders are forced out of retirement by the costs of feeding their dragon.
Those with clutching dragons unfortunately find themselves having to give the eggs over the Weyr. There's no other place for the eggs to be reared then the hatching sand, and that means Weyr candidates. It's a shame, but it's better than losing the dragonets.
At the top of the Enforcer ranks are the Captains. Appointed by the Masters themselves, these two are the best of the dragonriders and wherhandlers. They supervise the Wings and squads. They act as generals of sorts for the Masters.
The Weyr does have a Weyrwoman, but no one speaks of her. She and her gold are guarded by the Bazaar. No one has seen the Weyrwoman for turns, but sometimes her gold goes for flights around the neath with a few bronzes and reds for guards.