So You're a Weyrling..

[Ember]

So You're a Weyrling
written by Ruby

Inverness Weyrlingmaster: Open

A Day in the Life of a Weyrling Pair
6am: morning run for riders
7am: break for breakfast, fresh clothes
7:30am: morning lecture for riders, low-impact morning exercises for dragonets. 15 minute breaks every 1hour 15 minutes.
noon: break for lunch
12:30pm: fieldwork for riders and dragonets. Breaks if/when appropriate.
5:30pm: break for dinner
6:00pm: chores
9pm: free time
10pm: curfew

Weyrlings typically follow this schedule 4 out of 7 days of the week; of the remaining 3, 2 are full fieldwork days where the morning lecture is replaced with outdoor work (generally involving a high level of physical activity, practicing and drilling things learned earlier in the week) and 1 is a 'free day', where weyrlings have double chores (~6 hours) but no lessons. They do not typically have 'homework'; instead, they are given time in class to complete whatever 'homework' they might have. Those that struggle with reading or writing may have to do some extra in their free time, but for your average weyrling it will be little to no extra work outside of class.

At the 9-month mark, when Weyrlings move into their own weyrs and are classified as 'Senior', this schedule changes somewhat, becoming more flexible and suited to what they are learning that day, week, or month. For instance, in 'between month', Weyrlings are excused from the morning run, lessons start later, and their chores are halved, to make sure they are fully rested and mentally prepared to go between - at least until the whole class is comfortable.

Weyrlings are expected to abide by the following rules at all times (in character, obviously - if they break them, however, they should expect ic punishment):

• Curfew: Weyrlings are not allowed to leave their Barracks until 6:00 AM, and are required to return by 10:00 PM. Weyrlings who are Healers are encouraged to ask for infirmary shifts that replace their chores.
  
• Weyrlings are expected to attend Lessons regularly, and will be held back from passing if they do not.
  
• Weyrlings are not allowed to Stand for Salamandyr Hatchings until their dragon reaches maturity.
  
• Weyrlings do not acquire their full Rider rank until their dragons and they graduate from Lessons, and still rank just over Drudges.

Weyrlings - OOC
You will be required to thread at least once with every other Weyrling in your class, based on topics covered in Weyrling lessons. Concessions will be made for Weyrlings that are not active/on vacation/etc., but to graduate, you must thread at least once with every other graduating Weyrling by the date of graduation. If you fail to do so, your Weyrling will be held back, and be required to thread with the next class (this will be handled on a case by case basis). To count, a lessons thread must have a minimum of 4 posts from each character. If an RPer poofs, however, the person who did not poof will still get credit for the thread.

This means that, if you want, you can get all your threads done right away, and not have to worry about lessons ever again until you graduate, or you can stretch them out, doing them one at a time. You have about 8 months IRL to get all these threads started, so manage your time appropriately!

There will be two mass threads for Weyrlings - first Between at the one Turn mark, and a final threadfall drill with the whole class. Look out for those threads, because they will also be required to pass Weyrling training.

Some things to note:

• Multiple Weyrlings: Threads can include more than one weyrling, if you so choose - in fact, some lessons will be easier to complete if you add a third classmate; in that case, you will get credit for threading with both weyrlings. Each weyrling will still need to contribute a minimum of four posts. Players with more than one Weyrling in a class may use this method if they choose.
  
• Picking a Topic: You select your lesson topic for each thread, and feel free to be creative, but keep the schedule below in mind. Your thread should start in or around the IC month that that topic you want to thread about is covered. You can find the IC month by clicking on the "Currently" link in the site header.
  
• Thread Content:Threads do not have consist of your weyrling attending your lesson of choice. For instance, a thread where two weyrlings discuss their insecurities about Flights and end up doing something about that could count as a lesson thread, since it directly relates to lessons. If you have a question, ask your WLM.
  
• Weyrlingmaster's Role: Your WLM will not be running the lessons, nor will they be posting lessons for you to work off of. They are, however, available to facilitate match-ups, give you ideas for lesson activities, hop in to revitalize stuck threads, answer any questions you have, help out if you need a teacher IC or OOC... Anything. Just ask.
  
• If You're Stuck: Your WLM can also provide you with a short prompt to get you started - a mini-lecture or instructions for an activity based on the lesson of your choice. PM them or post in the WLM's master thread. If you have never played through lessons at Selenitas before, it is HIGHLY recommended that you ask for prompts unless you are paired with an experienced player who is starting the thread; you are also HIGHLY encouraged to re-read the Guide to Pernese Dragons before RPing a newly-hatched dragon, especially the section on Weyrlings.
  
• Mark Your Threads:Remember to mark your threads with "LESSON:", so the Weyrlingmaster can find it easily.
  
• Inactive Weyrlings:You must thread at least once with every member of your class, including people that go inactive after hatching. There are, however, a few ways to replace threads with inactive Weyrlings: Participate in flights, as you get credit for a thread when your dragon Rises or Chases for the first time; thread with someone from an older or younger class; thread with another Rider; or thread with a Weyrlingmaster. Keep in mind that threads to replace threads with inactive characters must still relate to lessons. If there are a large number of inactives in your class, your Weyrlingmaster may give you other ways to make up your threads.

The RP Classified Board is a great way to fill out your thread schedule. We recommend that Weyrlings post something like this in the board:

Weyrling lesson time! I am interested in doing lessons in months 1, 3, 7, 8, 12, and 15. Claim away!
Me x Weyrling 1: month 1
Me x Weyrling 2: month 3

Or something similar. Your WLM will also keep a master thread in the Weyrling barracks with a table similar to this one, where they will mark off your completed threads:

	C'loy	Au'st	S'rring	Osnat	Renisa	Lilu	Vellani	Kyr'n
C'loy	-	0/4	0/4	0/4	0/4	0/4	0/4	0/4
Au'st	0/4	-	0/4	0/4	0/4	0/4	0/4	0/4
S'rring	0/4	0/4	-	0/4	0/4	0/4	0/4	0/4
Osnat	0/4	0/4	0/4	-	0/4	0/4	0/4	0/4
Renisa	0/4	0/4	0/4	0/4	-	0/4	0/4	0/4
Lilu	0/4	0/4	0/4	0/4	0/4	-	0/4	0/4
Vellani	0/4	0/4	0/4	0/4	0/4	0/4	-	0/4
Kyr'n	0/4	0/4	0/4	0/4	0/4	0/4	0/4	-
Inactive Credits

Read down your character's column to see what posts they've completed with which characters.

So What Now?
First, take a look at this schedule and pick out the lessons you might be interested in threading about. Then throw up an RP Classifieds page or talk to people in the cbox... then, whenever you're ready, start some threads! If you have questions about topics, things not covered, or need ideas for IC activities, ask your WLM.

Hatching
greens 6-8 feet; blues 8-11; browns 11-13; bronzes 13-14; golds 14-15
- feeding
- oiling
- bathing

Month 1
- bond exercises
- mental communication
- hide and seek
- cooperative work (dragon to rider)

Month 2
greens 9-12 feet; blues 12-14; browns 14-15; bronzes 15-16; golds 16-19
- weyrlings begin working in teams (2 humans 2 dragons)
- switch off who leads the team for bond strength/teamwork exercises
- getting dragonets fit

Month 3
- weyrlings begin working in teams of three pairs (use an NPC pair as #3, or do a three-person thread)
- firestone chain toss on the ground

Month 4
greens 12-15 feet; blues 15-18; browns 18-21; bronzes 21-22; golds 22-24
- hand to hand combat training begins
- weapon selection
- weapon training
- pre-flight training

Month 5
- firestone: good vs. bad rocks
- water/swimming training for dragonets
- basic first aid
- straps

Month 6
greens 15-19 feet; blues 19-23; browns 23-27; bronzes 27-28; golds 28-31
- first glide for dragonets
- humans personal weapons test

Month 7
- first free flight for dragonets
- short glides with rider
- takeoff/landing practice

Month 8
- first aerial maneuver training (riderless)
- dragons drill in the air while their humans drill in sync on the ground

Month 9
- first full flight with riders
- aerial maneuvers with riders
- 'firestone' practice/test; using sacks of meat instead of firestone, practice feeding technique and resupply

Month 10
- sex talk (dragons are now emotionally mature enough to handle rider sex)
- mapmaking
- place recognition and coordinate training

Month 11
- advanced aerial maneuvers, working in teams of 2 or 3 pairs
- beginning air self-defense
- long distance (overnight) straight flights

1 Turn
greens 18-23 feet; blues 23-28; browns 28-33; bronzes 33-35; golds 35-39
- maiden flights begin
- first between <-- This is a 'traditional' lesson. It will be run by the WLM, but you can also use it as a topic for a personal thread. However, if you choose to do a personal thread in this month, you still have to attend the mass lesson!

1 Turn 1 Month
- between as a group (2 or 3 pairs) in formation
- beginning air fighting formations for thread

1 Turn 2 Month
- firebreathing

1 Turn 3 Month
- target practice
- firestone resupply/technique
- advanced thread formations

1 Turn 4 Month
full size
- massive threadfall drill WITH WHOLE CLASS <-- this is the other 'traditional' lesson that will take place, it will be run by the WLM, and it will work more like a mini-plot

Graduation
- full-class thread only if required by WLM

[Ember]

Oops... I Failed

Don't worry. It's not the end of the world.

What Happens Now?
You failed! Oh no! Actually, it's not a big deal at all. You'll be dropped to the class below you, added in your own special table underneath theirs.

You are still responsible for the original number of threads you had to complete. If your class had 10 weyrlings in it (besides you), you are still responsible for 10 threads. However, the threads you have already completed or started count. So, if there were 10 weyrlings in your class and you started 7 threads, you only need to do 3 additional threads to graduate.

The remaining required threads can be played out with ANY of the weyrlings in your new class. Take a look at how old their dragons are, and make sure you're threading around the right months. Weyrlings from the class you are joining will get Inactive Credits for threading with you, which can be used towards any threads they are missing upon their graduation. Otherwise, your new Lessons Threads have the same requirements as your old ones did.

Can I Finally Get The Hell Out?
Another bonus for failed weyrlings: As soon as you complete your required threads, you graduate. Only owed one? Post four times with one of the weyrlings in your new class, post the link to the Weyrlingmaster's thread, and let them know that you're ready to graduate. They'll check it out, then put up an appropriate notice and get an Admin to move your character sheet, add your dragon to the Records, and sort you into a wing. Congratulations; you're now a Rider!

If you fail lessons twice in a row, one of the goldriders will discuss your future with you and your Weyrlingmaster. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken, and you may be passed or dropped down another class level... or, depending on your situation, you may be permanently failed, kept off Wings and restricted to whatever task the goldrider finds most suitable.