11th Month to Graduation
Eleventh Month
Approx sixty percent of adult size
Formation flying drills begin. Ground drills rarely used unless working through a new formation.
Learn the firestone refueling in air technique.
Advanced dragon-rider bond exercises - in Fall and Wing context.
Problem solving at all levels.
Self defense training continues.
Assigned Holds to fly to and return between to the Weyr.
Selection/assignment of personal Weyr by the Headwoman and Weyrwoman. They do not move in for another month.
Suggestion for IC play: Again, between is a good one. The firestone in flight refueling is good for comedy as well as any of the standard RP possibilities. Selecting a Weyr - earmarking it as it were.
Twelfth Month
Approx sixty-five percent of adult size
Formation flying drills continue and become more complex.
Dragons learn to chew firestone.
Flame first aid, then control and flame variation.
Flaming whilst in flight and in wing formation.
Continue training on between.
Principles of Sweepriding - shadowing Sweepriders.
Personal interview with the Weyrlingmaster on progress to date.
If the Weyrlingmaster is satisfied with the progress of the Weyrling, dragonet and rider are allowed to move from the Weyrling Barracks to a private weyr.
Two days to transfer to their assigned personal weyr.
Graduation from Junior Weyrlings to Senior Weyrlings.
Suggestion for IC play: Firestone. Feeding the dragon firestone and the inevitable problems that occur as a result of inexperience. Too much, too little�no control etc. A Sweepride has potential to be interesting. Interview RP if necessary. Entering own Weyr feeling like a proper dragonrider. Celebration of graduation to Seniors.
Thirteenth and Fourteenth Months
Approx seventy and seventy-five percent of adult size
Flying practice becoming more varied and longer sustained, gradually moving time aloft up to Fall length.
Some drill practices take place with the existing Wings to integrate them and learn from their experience.
Emergency rescue training - falling rope drills, bronze and queens learning how to catch an out of control dragon.
Hand to hand sparring extended to group co-operation.
Flaming in Wing formation.
Between training continues, beginning recognition point drills to other Weyrs, Halls and Holds.
Suggestion for IC play: Emergency rescue drills have a lot of potential to RP. The opportunity to mix with existing riders also is a good RP area.
Fifteenth and Sixteenth Months
Approx eighty and ninety percent of adult size
Continued fighting Wing formation drills.
Rescue maneuvers practice.
Continue training on between, introducing skip betweening for Fall collision avoidance and deep betweening for scores, etc.
Groups assigned Sweep duties.
Fitted with Threadfighting gear.
Lectures on mating flights - what to expect, effects on both bondmates, cautions, Weyr customs, etc.
Conferences with Weyrlingmaster and Wingseconds begin, preFall preparation and strategies.
Suggestion for IC play: Getting Fall gear would be a turning point for many, an introduction to a reality as a dragonrider. Group Sweep duities would also hold a good RP potential.
Seventeenth and Eighteenth Months
Approx ninety five and hundred percent of adult size
Begin flying the trailing edge of Threadfall. Limited flaming of live Thread.
Perform firestone refuelling directly to fighting dragonrider.
Continued inclusion in pre-Fall and post-Fall breifing and de-briefing.
Final assessments - to determine graduation based on results and Weyrlingmaster report to the Weyrleaders.
Suggestion for IC play: AHH! The anxiety of exams, final graduation, and first flying of Thread! AHH!
Graduation (End of Eighteenth Month)
If the Weyrleaders permit, the new dragonriders are assigned to a lower level and as their competence and experience increas, they are moved to the higher, first Fall contact Wings. If they do not pass, they are held in Weyrling classes until they are deemed ready and not a danger to other riders.
Suggestion for IC play: Woo hoo! Graduation! Feeling like a real, true rider, relishing freedom or perhaps anxiety or doubt in self (dependent on character's personality). If they do not pass (this is extremely rare), disappointment with self, angst and sadness, perhaps even depression.