The Weyr itself rests in a shallow mountain valley cleared of all greenery and gravelled, set high in the range. A small lake is at the opposite end of the Bowl from the entry tunnel and the Tithe trail, an ice cold, frequently frozen lake that is broken by a dragon for Weyrlings and adults to bathe in. This is a favored punishment duty, a common sight is a bundled up rider shivering as they keep their dragon company while they break ice in winter.

Northern Barrier was fortunate to have been constructed after the initial phases of Weyr expansion, much was learned and adapted for the frequently cold climate. The rider weyrs are constructed to keep warm, while they have the standard ledge, dragon couch, and private room for riders, stout doors are between the two sides of the weyrs, and all are fitted with either braziers or fireplaces. A second door leads to inner halls for access to the Lower Caverns without going outside. All ground level weyrs are reserved for injured or infirm dragons. Wingrider weyrs are fitted with standard furnishings, a wide bed, a desk, a table and chairs with a chest or clothespress. These are often changed or added to as the rider wishes and decorated acording to personal taste. Communal bathing rooms are located throughout the Weyr for riders and staff, segregated by gender. Weyrwomen, Weyrleader and Weyrsecond weyrs are larger, with a sitting room, sleeping room, and private bath, along with a convienient staircase to the offices and Records room below, located adjacent to the senior rider's weyrs. Various smaller rooms and apartments are located on the inner sides of the Weyr, for the staff and non riders in residence. Quarters are assigned by rank, Drudges share barracks like halls, while Journeymen often have a simple room not unlike a rider's, and senior Weyrcrafters and the Headwoman or Steward often have comfortable, multi-room apartments.

The Lower Caverns themselves take up the lowest levels of the Weyr, a comfortable assortment of corridors, rooms and workspaces, with large common areas and a generous Dining Hall and kitchens on one side of the Weyr, the Infirmaries, Dragon and human, on the other with storage spaces. Northern Barrier's Dining Hall proudly displays a massive tapistry of the Weyr's insignia behind the head table, set on a low dais, and trestles and benches set up for the rest. The Weyr was designed with enforced indoor living in mind, it boasts carved lintles, and generous decoration and murals. Tapistries, painted and embellished ceilings and walls, elegantly carved stone fireplaces and the occasional mosaic in the floors grace the public areas, bringing color and warmth to the cold Weyr. An extensive hypocaust system augments the fireplaces that heat the Weyr, and the Hatching Ground, as well as providing the heating for baths.

The Human Infirmary is located on the second floor, boasting windows of stained glass and a comfortable series of rooms, wards, and offices for tending the inevitable injured riders and the Weyr population. It's counterpart, the Dragon Infirmary, is located opposite the main entrance to the Lower Caverns, a massive cavern with a sand floor, designed to accomodate multiple dragons. Offices, a dispensary, and storage rooms for healer supplies adjoin it.

The Candidate and Weyrling Barracks are located in caverns attached to the Lower Caverns, with the Candidates having a divided set of barracks. One for boys, the other for girls, with a common room that doubles as a classroom, and a private office and rooms for the Candidate Master and any assistants. The Weyrling Barracks are larger, and similarly set up, with the addition of Dragon couches.

The Hatching Ground is the pride of the Weyr. Large, lined with hot sand imported from Igen, elegantly carved stone tiers overlook the wide, sandy expanse. Murals featuring Queens grace the Walls, and large glowlamps of beautiful metal hang from chains in the massive ceiling, with sufficient room for the Weyr's inhabitants to witness the Hatching with guests. Large enough in theory for three Queens to clutch at once, it is the one of the warmest, most impressive areas in the Weyr. Queen Quilth generously permits chromatics to gather here during the winter to warm up out of the icy cold and gossip as long as no clutch is laid or due.

Most of the Weyr's comforts are inside, but there is an exeption. Animals are not kept penned in the Weyr proper, save for small pens of beasts for daily consumption and Weyrlings and injured dragons. These are kept out of the prevailing winds and are discretely placed. Northern Barrier lacks the sounds and screams of stampeding beasts common to most Weyrs. The Feeding Grounds proper are located in a small valley less than an hour's flight from the Weyr proper, complete with barns, outbuildings, and a small hold for the Beastcrafters. All adult dragons feed there, as the barren elevation allows few hunting opportunities.