Better Hygiene is Needed...

[M'kel]

A strange flu-like virus seems to be passing through the Weyr, at the moment. It appeared only a sevenday after the Hatching, shortly before the start of the Dragon Tournament, and it just isn't going away!

Numerous riders have complained of persistent symptoms, including coughing, sore throats, weakness, and mild fevers. Those afflicted find that the virus never seems to fully go away; they may have a fairly bad day, followed by half a sevenday of no symptoms at all. The very worst days include nausea and headaches.

The Weyrleaders are rather concerned that so many Weyrfolk seem to be coming down with this illness, but since it doesn't appear at all life-threatening, they have decided not to contact the Healer Hall as of yet. Instead, the Weyrwoman is pushing for all Weyrfolk to follow strict hygiene routines, to prevent the spread of the illness from continuing! Since the flu season usually strikes later in the year, closer to winter, this must be a particularly determined strain.

Wash your hands before you eat, after you sneeze or cough, and limit your use of the communal bathing areas, please!


As for rping this, some of your characters may come down with this illness worse than others. Some will also not be affected at all. Please do not have all of your characters suddenly on their death beds. lol.

Ominous news indeed. Let the drama begin...

[M'kel]

The illness is worsening.

Though some sevendays have passed, and the Weyrleaders hoped the flu would run its course and leave the Weyr in peace, there is no end in sight.

Those who were the first to experience symptoms are now even more greatly afflicted, having fewer good days and more extreme reactions. Searing headaches and stomach pains are now the primary factors affecting the suffering, though dizziness and coughing are also reported.

Almost everyone is now experiencing some symptoms, even if only mild ones.

The Weyrleaders have requested more Healers be brought to the Weyr but are unwilling to take further action as of yet. The widely held belief is that since numerous members of the Weyr's population are from the past, they may have brought forward a mutation of a virus that present-born Pernese are not immune to, or vice versa. Though, strangely, it is affecting everyone...


This plot addition will affect every thread started from this day forward, while previously begun threads will remain with only the original plot influences.

[M'kel]

The Shocking Resolution

The pandemic grew worse. Every Weyr member was showing symptoms, and the Healers were overwhelmed. Some Weyrfolk had reached a state of catatonia – unconscious and unresponsive, with raging fevers and little hope.

Finally, the Masterhealer was called in. No one at Araelen knew what was going on, and no traditional remedies seemed to be working. Fearing the affliction would spread to the rest of the continent, the Weyr was strictly quarantined, and the Masterhealer set to work.

He laboured for nearly a sevenday in the Healing Caverns before the symptoms connected in his mind, and the Masterhealer was finally able to identify the source.

Araelen Weyr had been poisoned.

It was the only explanation for why everyone was afflicted, yet the flu never seemed to pass or heal. Soon after realizing this, tests of the Weyr’s klah and soup turned up evidence of the poison – it was a mild enough form that people could survive small doses, but as the exposure increased over time, their health would only deteriorate.

His discovery was not soon enough to save them all.

Some of the Lower Caverns staff directly exposed to the poison passed away.

Healer Shikai was gone, and her brown Dinaedth. Robika and green Kmarath also did not survive. Myari died the night of the Masterhealer's arrival, sending her Valyiath between, and one of the new Weyrlings, Riley, also passed away, along with her green Megrath.

Worst of all, Weyrwoman Alana succumbed the night before the discovery of the source of the illness, and her gold Gwynevith disappeared between.

Once word got out of the poisoning, the Lower Caverns were scoured for the source of this evil. Although no culprit was definitively identified, stores of poison were discovered in a remote cavern and destroyed. Only the most trusted staff were permitted to continue cooking for the Weyr, and high ranking dragonriders were set to guard the Kitchens at all times.

The Weyr is left unbalanced and out of sorts. Many Weyrfolk are still recovering from the effects of the poison. Kitari is now Weyrwoman and B’kay Weyrleader.

But who could have done this to Araelen Weyr, and why?

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.

Araelen Weyr’s Response?

Those who believe in Kitari, their new Weyrwoman in Araelen Weyr, cannot fathom what is going on in Crown’s head. It is clear that she must have been warped somehow, that young, impressionable goldrider. Since M’kel, the disgraced ex-Weyrleader of Araelen, was quick to follow her into exile, it is apparent to all that he must be the source of this. No doubt, seeing his chances of ever being Weyrleader again begin to crumble and die (there was no way Syth would ever give up Lefayeth!), he coaxed Crown into founding the new Weyr. There, he could be her mentor, as she looked up to him utterly, and reign through her. Someday, Tirenth might even catch Ezelth and secure his power once more.

Really, who could be naïve enough to choose Ikros over Araelen?

The RP

It is now up to you to choose where your characters will go! Will they stay in Araelen Weyr, unable to comprehend why Crown is dividing an already fragile population of dragonriders, or strike out for Ikros Weyr? If they choose Ikros, perhaps it is because they see an opportunity for advancement they’d never have in Araelen Weyr. On the other hand, they may believe Crown’s assertions and simply cannot support Kitari any longer.

Whatever their motivation, you are free to divide your characters however you please! Of course, we do ask that you try to do so rather evenly, as we don’t want Araelen Weyr to lose its entire population nor Ikros Weyr to flounder without any members. Be sure to confer with your friends as to how your characters’ plots can be stirred up by these changes!

[M'kel]

Oh yes. And there will be no contact between the Weyrs. Anyone who leaves for Ikros is a traitor.