Fort Weyr

The Wing
During Pass, wings are constructed according to purpose. Wings meant to fly different parts of the Threadfighting formation contain different types of dragons: greens and blues for fleet, agile wings that chase and eliminate windblown Thread; blues and browns for sturdy wings covering wide ranges of middle sky; bronzes and browns for wings flying the highest parts of the formation where sustained gouts of flame are needed to cut large swaths from the falling Thread.

During Interval, wings stray from this scheme as Weyrleaders and wingleaders strive to make wing units to serve different group functions – whether physical, practical or political.

Threadfighting
When fighting Thread, wings will be deployed at various levels to maximize the varying strengths of different dragons. By attacking Thread at several levels in the air, the amount of the menace which can reach the ground and form hard-to-destroy burrows is minimized. In all but the lightest ‘falls, the queen’s wing fights off remaining Thread with flamethrowers in a level of attack lower than the other wings. The weyrling wing flies resupply or serves on ground crew, depending on need and whether the weyrlings are prepared for flight.

The Ground Crew
On the ground, weyrlings and riders whose dragons cannot fly in formation seek out fallen, surviving Thread and eliminate it on the ground or in its burrows with flame or agenothree. Weyrlings also generally are responsible for carrying firestone to the fighting wings for restocking midair or on the ground. Additionally, healers, medics and riders expert in dragonhealing will be on hand to tend wounds. When Threadfall occurs over an area belonging to a Hold or Crafthall, the local authorities are required to provide additional support for ground crew as well as supplies, food and drink for the riders protecting the area.

Rope Drills
During Interval, Threadfighting formations are drilled regularly by wings in their exercises and occasionally by the Weyr’s riders as a whole. Though formations are marched on the ground (both on foot and on dragonback) and flown in the sky and various challenges of weather and problem-solving are presented to the wings as they go through these exercises, the most ‘realistic’ drill designed to teach and maintain Threadfighting skills is the rope drill.

Rope drills are so named due to the use of paint-soaked ropes, dropped by riders flying above the formation, to roughly approximate the wind-tossed descent of Thread through the sky. The drilling formation flames the ropes just as they would Thread. Riding pairs dodge the painted ropes, honing and maintaining the skills which would allow them to survive a real ‘fall. Failure to dodge the ropes has less fatal consequences, of course. A splatter of paint on leathers or hide marks a pair ‘injured’ and indicates need for more attention to their work and more practice. It is not uncommon for a dragonrider to have a paint-splattered jacket from their term as a weyrling, but by the time they join the fighting wings they’re expected to be able to get through drills without being stained.

Adapted from istaweyr.com, used with permission.