Ikros Weyr's Story and Structure

[M'kel]

Ikros Weyr

Kitari poisoned the Weyr.

At least, that is what Crown believes.

The motive seems so clear: everyone knew Alana had been in love with B’kay, and although she hadn’t won him in Gwynevith’s Flight, she had won Weyrleadership. Kitari was jealous of Alana, both for being Weyrwoman and for the chance she might try to steal away B’kay. Thus, she killed Alana, securing herself both the title of Weyrwoman and B’kay all at once, forever more.

As Crown herself was recovering from the poisoning, this certainty grew in her mind. An outright accusation would do her no good, however, for Kitari had many friends and supporters who were likely to benefit from her increase in rank and not object to the means.

Thus, Crown did the only thing she could do. She struck off from Araelen Weyr, summoning all those who, like her, could not continue to serve under a murderous Weyrwoman, and established Ikros Weyr.

To distance herself from Araelen Weyr, Crown decided to explore the uninhabited Northern Continent. There, she found a canyon on the south-western tip of the continent that suited her purposes. This canyon was formed by a waterfall that cut backwards through the rock over time and continues to fall at the canyon’s head. At the base of the waterfall, a small lake has formed, drained continuously by a river that winds its way through the canyon away from the lake. The ground is quite level near the waterfall’s base, accounting for the basin that formed its lake, and thus the flow of the river is relatively sluggish at its head. From there, the canyon steepens, and the river’s pace quickens. Fifty dragonlengths or so from the waterfall, the canyon opens up into a low valley, lush with vegetation and surrounded by high cliffs. The Feeding Grounds will naturally be held within this sloping valley.

The Weyr itself is being constructed in the narrower part of the canyon, surrounding the waterfall. The churning of the river in Turns past has carved out natural cave formations in the base of the cliff walls, and these are being expanded and shaped to form a Lower Caverns, Hatching Ground, and Healing Cavern. An arching bridge crosses the river at the base of the lake, allowing Weyrfolk to travel from one side to the other without getting wet.

Weyrs for the dragons are being shaped out of the soft limestone on either side of the river, above the Lower Caverns areas. Although a cool mist often rises from the waterfall, the climate in the canyon is kept rather mild and sheltered. The weyrs closer to the top of the cliffs, however, will be more exposed to the winds that rush over the flat landscape surrounding the canyon. Outside of this canyon, the land is relatively barren and bleak, rocky and mountainous. Although some vegetation grows, it is obvious that the canyon and its valley have formed a natural oasis in the landscape. The only real approach to the Weyr, by ground, is up through the valley, unless anyone feels confident about rappelling.

[M'kel]

The Rankings

Now that Crown has the power to do things her way, she’s going to make a few changes in the Weyr. First of all, she is going to do away with the traditional hierarchy based on dragon colour. She firmly believes that people and dragons should be judged on their strengths, not colour. Thus, she will personally select the highest ranking members of Ikros Weyr.

Knights – The highest rank in Ikros Weyr. These dragonriders are handpicked by Crown herself, and they are her most trusted advisors. They will make up the Weyr Council and have almost as much authority as she does in the Weyr. To proclaim their title, these dragonriders will wear an intricate series of dark green knots on their shoulders.

Squires – These dragonriders fall into the ‘average’ category. They are neither liked nor disliked by Crown – she simply doesn’t know or care that they exist. Squires are separated from Shadows in that Crown is impartial towards them, and they have already gained some favour from a Knight and thus been elevated to this position. These dragonriders will wear navy blue knots.

Shadows – This is the default category for candidates in the Weyr as well as any new Weyrlings or dragonriders who have yet to establish themselves in Ikros. In addition, Crown will personally place individuals she finds distasteful in this ranking. These dragonriders will wear black knots.

Life in Ikros Weyr will be characterized by a constant struggle to earn favour. Knights must be constantly on their guard not to displease Lady Crown, for they may find themselves demoted to the rank of Squire or even Shadow. Similarly, other, unnoticed dragonriders in the Weyr will attempt to curry favour from their superiors. Squires may choose to align themselves with a Patron Knight, if he or she is willing, and serve their Patron’s interests in the Weyr. Factions may form, as the Squires of different Patron Knights work to increase the prestige of their own Knight while sabotaging others. Ultimately, the goal is clear: if one’s Patron Knight is pleased with a Squire, he/she may nominate this individual for Knighthood before the Weyr Council.

Shadows must similarly labour to impress those above them, either a Squire or Knight, in the hopes of shedding their stigmatized status.

The Weyr will also be structurally organized around these rankings, with Knights receiving the lowest and largest weyrs in the cliff walls, followed by Squires above them, and Shadows in the smallest, roughest, and highest weyrs, most exposed to the weather above the canyon.

Deference is key in Ikros Weyr. Knights will decide the fate of any who please or displease them. Thus, a Squire or Shadow must immediately obey all commands given to them by a superior, be he/she a Squire (in the case of Shadows), Knight, or Lady Crown herself. Shadows are also responsible for the less desirable tasks around the Weyr, as Ikros has few non-dragonriding Weyrfolk. Thus, they will serve in the Kitchens, Beast Stables, and Healing Caverns.

Who receives what rank? That is partly up to you! If you really want your character to be a Shadow, then go for it! Yours will be a life of hardship and bitter struggle, but it may shape your character in a way you never imagined. Experience the challenges of trying to earn favour from a disdainful Squire, working constantly to improve your lot in life. If you are a Shadow, come up with an interesting reason why! Did you and Lady Crown hit it off on the wrong foot? Or perhaps you insulted one of her Knights somehow, spilling klah at an inopportune time or sneezing too loudly? Or maybe your character is a candidate who just arrived at the Weyr and is at the bottom of the pecking order? Whatever you choose, have fun with it!

If you’d rather your character be a Squire, that’s also your choice! As a Squire, you may want to contact a Knight to see if he/she would be interested in being your Patron Knight. Or, you may choose to try and curry favour from multiple Knights, and hope that they don’t find out about your mixed loyalties!

Squire or Shadow, you will have a chance for advancement.

Shadows who get on good terms with a Squire or Knight may find themselves promoted. This will be up to you, as well, with whatever plot you please accompanying a rise in rank.

To reach the rank of Knight, however, will be a bit more challenging. Obviously, we want to limit the number of Knights in the Weyr, or they won’t be such an elite status. If you would like one of your characters to be a Knight, please post in the provided thread indicating who you would like as a Knight and what they he/she would do with his/her power. It will need to work in-character (obviously someone who Crown already has a tiff with from past rps won’t be able to). As well, we ask that each member limit themselves to one Knight request for now.

Do keep in mind, however, that you might prefer to have a character start out as a Squire and then rise to the rank of Knight through rp! If this is the case, you could still post in the thread to indicate your desire without asking for the title of Knight right away.