The Weyr Structure

For some of you, you grew up in the Weyr, so you think you know the structure pretty well and will have a leg up on some of the holdbred who got their first taste of Weyr life after they were Searched. Either way, there are probably no Candidates; the Candidates were you and your clutchmates. So welcome to still being the bottom of the Weyr hierarchy, at least until another gold rises. Hope you've gotten pretty good at saluting everyone.

Ranks You Are Expected To Know

  • The Weyrlingmaster and Assistant Weyrlingmasters - They oversee the scheduling, lessons, drills and progression of weyrlinghood. They are in charge. What they say goes. Weyrlings are expected to follow directions and ask questions later - polite questions for clarification. Doing what they say could mean life or death for a dragonet. They deal with weyrling discipline. They also act as advisers in all things weyrling (and some things political) to the weyrleadership.
  • The Weyrleader - The man in charge. He is in charge of political policy. Dealing with other Weyrs and major Holds. Leading the Weyr in Threadfall. Being a wingleader. Making sure all the wings know how to work together during a Fall. Promotions and demotions. And major rider discipline issues. Be nice; he's under a lot of stress, and he probably wouldn't grant you a meeting slot in his day because you think an assistant weyrlingmaster is being unfair by keeping you grounded. You're the bottom, he's the top. (OOCly: That doesn't mean you shouldn't feel free to ask for RP, or if you see him at lunch that you shouldn't ask him for advice. It just means that for IC reasons you should be aware of your character's place in the overall structure of the weyr).
  • The Senior Weyrwoman - The woman in charge. In charge of keeping the ENTIRE Weyr running. If there is food, it is thanks to her. If tithes come in, it is thanks to her. If the whole place doesn't burn down to a heap of ash, thank your Weyrwoman. Again, probably a little busy to hear that you really think you are ready for your own weyr. Remember, it is thanks to her that there are any open for you at all. Though perhaps if you got in good with a junior… Just remember politics are tricky things, and you'll be learning all about that as the months continue. (OOCly: That doesn't mean you shouldn't feel free to ask for RP, or if you see her at dinner that you shouldn't ask her for advice. It just means that for IC reasons you should be aware of your character's place in the overall structure of the weyr).
  • Weyrsecond(s) - The Weyrsecond(s) is the Weyrleader's right hand man. He may be given responsibilities as simple as paperwork, or as complicated as political visits. It is best to treat anything he says as an order from the Weyrleader. If it isn't, the Weyrleader will deal with it later.
  • Junior Weyrwomen - The junior weyrwomen report to the senior Weyrwoman. They work as the senior's assistants. They deal with tithes of minor cotholds, make sure the lower caverns are in running order, and are in constant training for the day they may become senior.
  • Wingleaders and Wingseconds - Are in charge of preparing each individual wing for Thread. This includes: running drills, working on formations, and working on team cohesion. The discipline their riders and act as advisers to the Weyrleadership. Depending on the Weyrleader at the time, they more or less have say in promotions and demotions within their own wing, and may be asked for advice on promotions to wingleader in others. The division between responsibilities varies from wing to wing, as does the number of wingseconds a wingleader may keep under him.
  • Headperson - Male or female, they are directly in charge of the daily running of the lower caverns. From making the food schedules for the living caverns, to making sure all the rooms are clean, to the assigned chores of drudges (and Candidates, if there are any), he or she is a person you probably already know from Candidacy.
  • There are some crafters and Bazaar people who you may need to know for political purposes, but those are things you would learn later in weyrlinghood.

What you need to know about the hierarchy as a weyrling and a rider: The structure is set up so that everything is handled by the step directly above you. As a full rider, if you had a problem you would go to the wingsecond, who may have to go to the wingleader, who may have to go the Weyrsecond, etc. But it would be very rare that wingrider would skip all the way to the Weyrleader and not just be scoffed at and yelled out of the council chambers.

Remember to think of the Weyr as a military base, with a military streamlined to fight Thread. There are "civilian" members, but even some of them will outrank a full rider. Though they may have little reason to ever interact with a rider, that doesn't mean there wouldn't be political ramifications for the Weyr should a rider beat up a craftmaster. So, it is very important that you know the knot chart well - especially the Weyr section. However, keep in mind that even as a full rider you must act respectfully to non-riders who outrank you, or at least bear in mind that ICA=ICC.

Please be familiar with the knot chart by checking it out here. Remember: we will enact ICCs appropriate to any actions taken by your character. It is your responsibility to know the chart, which you should have learned as a weyrling. And if your character chooses to buck the system, it is your responsibility as the player to deal with the consequences accordingly - at least OOCly.

Also remember that Pern is not a democracy as we know it. Not everyone will treat you as you deserve, and there may be times when a decision you don't like is made. And you may not be able to fight it directly. Sorry, little guy. But little guys can scheme, little guys can make friends with big guys and use it to hurt or annoy other people. Make political ties, scratch people's back, sleep with the right person (just not until your dragonet can handle it) - or try and do it with honor and integrity. How you fight (or don't) is up to you - and that is the very reason Igen exists. Just be ready for the consequences of your actions - good or bad.